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Abstract:

An information processing system configured to include at least an open
server apparatus and a terminal apparatus communicable with each other
through a network is disclosed. The system includes: an opening mode
setting means for setting an opening mode; a transmitted content
information creating means for creating content information including at
least body information and predetermined additional information; a
content information storing means for storing content information; a
content information upload control means for transmitting content
information; and an opening mode determining means for determining an
opening mode of the content information stored in the content information
storing means.

Claims:

1. An information processing system configured to include at least an open
server apparatus and a terminal apparatus communicable with each other
through a network, comprising:an opening mode setting means for setting
an opening mode, which is a mode in opening contents uploaded to the open
server apparatus on the network, according to an input operation in the
terminal apparatus;a transmitted content information creating means for
creating content information including at least body information, which
is data used to reproduce substantial contents, and predetermined
additional information as information of the contents uploaded to the
open server apparatus in the terminal apparatus, at least opening
instruction information indicating contents of an opening mode of current
contents set by the opening mode setting means being created as the
additional information;a content information storing means for storing
content information in the open server apparatus;a content information
upload control means for transmitting content information, which has been
created by the transmitted content information creating means, from the
terminal apparatus to the open server apparatus by communication through
the network so as to store the content information in the content
information storing means; andan opening mode determining means for
determining an opening mode of the content information stored in the
content information storing means on the basis of the opening instruction
information of the content information in the open server apparatus.

2. An information processing apparatus comprising:a communication means
for executing a communication through a network;an opening mode setting
means for setting an opening mode, which is a mode in opening contents
uploaded to an open server apparatus on the network, according to an
input operation;a transmitted content information creating means for
creating content information including at least body information, which
is data used to reproduce substantial contents, and predetermined
additional information as information of the contents uploaded to the
open server apparatus, at least opening instruction information
indicating contents of an opening mode of current contents set by the
opening mode setting means being created as the additional information;
anda content information upload control means for transmitting content
information, which has been created by the transmitted content
information creating means, to the open server apparatus, which executes
opening of contents in a condition based on the opening instruction
information, by communication through the network.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the
opening mode setting means sets as an opening mode whether or not to open
current contents in a site opened to the public, which is a site on a
network for opening to the public, andthe transmitted content information
creating means creates the opening instruction information of contents,
which instruct whether or not to open the current contents in the site
opened to the public, on the basis of set contents of the opening mode.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the
opening mode setting means sets an opening mode such that a site opened
to the public, which is a Web site for opening to the public, changes
from a no-opening mode to an opening mode when the number of times of the
access from information processing apparatus reaches a predetermined
number, andthe transmitted content information creating means creates the
opening instruction information of contents, which instruct current
contents to change from a no-opening mode to an opening mode in a site
opened to the public, on the basis of set contents of the opening mode
when the number of times of the access from the information processing
apparatus reaches a predetermined number.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the
opening mode setting means sets an opening mode such that the access to
current contents is rejected when the number of times of the access from
information processing apparatus reaches a predetermined number, andthe
transmitted content information creating means creates the opening
instruction information of contents, which instruct the access to the
current contents to be rejected, on the basis of set contents of the
opening mode when the number of times of the access from the information
processing apparatus reaches a predetermined number.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5,wherein the
opening mode setting means sets an opening mode such that when the number
of times of user-specified access from information processing apparatus
reaches a predetermined number, the access of the same specific user to
current contents is forbidden, andthe transmitted content information
creating means creates the opening instruction information, which
instructs that the access of the same specific user to current contents
is forbidden when the number of times of user-specified access from
information processing apparatus reaches a predetermined number, on the
basis of set contents of the opening mode.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, further
comprising:an editing processing means for creating new contents by
executing editing processing by secondarily using data of one or more
contents,wherein the opening mode setting means determines a range of an
opening mode, which can be set for the new contents, on the basis of the
opening instruction information included in information of contents
secondarily used by the editing processing means.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7,wherein the
opening mode setting means determines a range of an opening mode, which
can be set for the new contents, so as not to exceed a range of an
opening mode obtained on the basis of the opening instruction information
included in contents secondarily used by the editing processing means.

9. A server apparatus comprising:a communication means for executing a
communication through a network;a content information storing means for
storing content information including an opening instruction information
which has at least body information, which is data for reproducing
substantial contents, and predetermined additional information and which
is created according to an input operation from a terminal apparatus side
that transmits content information to the server apparatus, the
additional information indicating at least contents of an opening mode
that is a mode in opening current contents on the network;a download
response processing means for executing required processing in response
to access from a terminal apparatus for downloading content information,
which is stored in the content information storing means, through the
network; andan opening mode determining means for determining an opening
mode of content information stored in the content information storing
means on the basis of the opening instruction information included in the
content information.

10. The server apparatus according to claim 9,wherein the opening mode
determining means determines whether or not to open content information
in a site opened to the public on the basis of contents, which instruct
whether or not to open the content information in the site opened to the
public that is a Web site for opening to the public, of the opening
instruction information.

11. The server apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising:an
access history information managing means for generating and storing
access history information that is information of predetermined contents
regarding history of access from the terminal apparatus for every content
information stored in the content information storing means,wherein the
opening mode determining means determines an opening mode of one content
information on the basis of contents of the opening instruction
information in the content information and contents of the access history
information.

12. The server apparatus according to claim 9,wherein the opening mode
determining means determines whether or not open the content information
in a site opened to the public on the basis of the opening instruction
information of contents, which instruct a change from a no-opening mode
to an opening mode in the site opened to the public that is a Web site
for opening to the public when the number of times of the access from a
terminal apparatus reaches a predetermined number, and information, which
indicates the number of times of the access from an information
processing apparatus, of the access history information.

13. The server apparatus according to claim 9,wherein the opening mode
determining means determines whether or not reject the access from a
current terminal apparatus on the basis of the opening instruction
information of contents, which instructs the access to the content
information to be rejected, and information, which indicates the number
of times of the access from a terminal apparatus in the access history
information, when the number of times of the access from the terminal
apparatus reaches a predetermined number.

14. The server apparatus according to claim 9,wherein the opening mode
determining means determines whether or not reject the access from a
current terminal apparatus on the basis of the opening instruction
information of contents, which instructs the access of the same specific
user to the content information to be rejected, and information, which
indicates the number of times of the access for every user of a terminal
apparatus in the access history information, when the number of times of
the user-specified access from the terminal apparatus reaches a
predetermined number.

15. An information processing method comprising the steps of:performing a
communication procedure for executing a communication through a
network;performing an opening mode setting procedure for setting an
opening mode, which is a mode in opening contents uploaded to an open
server apparatus on the network, according to an input
operation;performing a transmitted content information creating procedure
for creating content information including at least body information,
which is data used to reproduce substantial contents, and predetermined
additional information as information of the contents uploaded to the
open server apparatus, at least opening instruction information
indicating contents of an opening mode of current contents set in the
opening mode setting procedure being created as the additional
information; andperforming a content information upload control procedure
for transmitting content information, which has been created in the
transmitted content information creating procedure, to the open server
apparatus, which executes opening of contents in a condition based on the
opening instruction information, by communication through the network.

16. An information processing method comprising the steps of:performing a
communication procedure for executing a communication through a
network;performing a content information storing procedure for storing,
in a predetermined storage region, content information including an
opening instruction information which has at least body information,
which is data for reproducing substantial contents, and predetermined
additional information and which is created according to an input
operation from a terminal apparatus side that transmits content
information to a server apparatus, the additional information indicating
at least contents of an opening mode that is a mode in opening current
contents on the network;performing a download response processing
procedure for executing required processing in response to access from a
terminal apparatus for downloading content information, which is stored
in the storage region, through the network; andperforming an opening mode
determining procedure for determining an opening mode of content
information stored in the content information storing procedure on the
basis of the opening instruction information included in the content
information.

17. A program causing an information processing apparatus to execute:a
communication procedure for executing a communication through a
network;an opening mode setting procedure for setting an opening mode,
which is a mode in opening contents uploaded to an open server apparatus
on the network, according to an input operation;a transmitted content
information creating procedure for creating content information including
at least body information, which is data used to reproduce substantial
contents, and predetermined additional information as information of the
contents uploaded to the open server apparatus, at least opening
instruction information indicating contents of an opening mode of current
contents set in the opening mode setting procedure being created as the
additional information; anda content information upload control procedure
for transmitting content information, which has been created in the
transmitted content information creating procedure, to the open server
apparatus side, which executes opening of contents in a condition based
on the opening instruction information, by communication through the
network.

18. A program causing an information processing apparatus to execute:a
communication procedure for executing a communication through a network;a
content information storing procedure for storing, in a predetermined
storage region, content information including an opening instruction
information which has at least body information, which is data for
reproducing substantial contents, and predetermined additional
information and which is created according to an input operation from a
terminal apparatus side that transmits content information to a server
apparatus, the additional information indicating at least contents of an
opening mode that is a mode in opening current contents on the network;a
download response processing procedure for executing required processing
in response to access from a terminal apparatus for downloading content
information, which is stored in the storage region, through the network;
andan opening mode determining procedure for determining an opening mode
of content information stored in the content information storing
procedure on the basis of the opening instruction information included in
the content information.

19. An information processing system configured to include at least an
open server apparatus and a terminal apparatus communicable with each
other through a network, comprising:an opening mode setting section
setting an opening mode, which is a mode in opening contents uploaded to
the open server apparatus on the network, according to an input operation
in the terminal apparatus;a transmitted content information creating
section creating content information including at least body information,
which is data used to reproduce substantial contents, and predetermined
additional information as information of the contents uploaded to the
open server apparatus in the terminal apparatus, at least opening
instruction information indicating contents of an opening mode of current
contents set by the opening mode setting section being created as the
additional information;a content information storing section storing
content information in the open server apparatus;a content information
upload control section transmitting content information, which has been
created by the transmitted content information creating section, from the
terminal apparatus to the open server apparatus by communication through
the network so as to store the content information in the content
information storing section; andan opening mode determining section
determining an opening mode of the content information stored in the
content information storing section on the basis of the opening
instruction information of the content information in the open server
apparatus.

20. An information processing apparatus comprising:a communication section
executing a communication through a network;an opening mode setting
section setting an opening mode, which is a mode in opening contents
uploaded to an open server apparatus on the network, according to an
input operation;a transmitted content information creating section
creating content information including at least body information, which
is data used to reproduce substantial contents, and predetermined
additional information as information of the contents uploaded to the
open server apparatus, at least opening instruction information
indicating contents of an opening mode of current contents set by the
opening mode setting section being created as the additional information;
anda content information upload control section transmitting content
information, which has been created by the transmitted content
information creating section, to the open server apparatus, which
executes opening of contents in a condition based on the opening
instruction information, by communication through the network.

21. A server apparatus comprising:a communication section executing a
communication through a network;a content information storing section
storing content information including an opening instruction information
which has at least body information, which is data for reproducing
substantial contents, and predetermined additional information and which
is created according to an input operation from a terminal apparatus side
that transmits content information to the server apparatus, the
additional information indicating at least contents of an opening mode
that is a mode in opening current contents on the network;a download
response processing section executing required processing in response to
access from a terminal apparatus for downloading content information,
which is stored in the content information storing section, through the
network; andan opening mode determining section determining an opening
mode of content information stored in the content information storing
section on the basis of the opening instruction information included in
the content information.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese
Patent Application JP 2007-102854 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on
Apr. 10, 2007, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein by
reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]1. Field of the Invention

[0003]The present invention relates to an information processing system
capable of performing, for example, music distribution or file sharing
through a network and an information processing apparatus (terminal
apparatus) and a server apparatus included in the information processing
system. In addition, the present invention relates to a program executed
by the information processing apparatus.

[0004]2. Description of the Related Art

[0005]In a network, a service called CGM (consumer generated media) is
widely spread and is well known. In the case of CGM, information
distributed by an individual user at a consumer side is provided as a Web
site where the information is managed in a database or as media. As
typical examples, not only an SNS (social networking service) and a blog
but also a sharing site of photographic images, a video content
contribution site, and the like are known. Through such spreading of CGM,
a normal individual user can give his or her own expression to a third
party more easily than before.

[0006]An example of the related art includes JP-A-2006-190200.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007]In the case of a current service of CGM that is actually known, for
example, in cases of a blog, a photographic image sharing site, and a
video content contribution site, it is common that contents contributed
or uploaded to a server are uniformly opened to the public. However, as
an example, depending on a user, it is expected that there will be not a
few cases where when contributing contents created by the user or
specific contents to a CGM service so as to be opened to a third party,
the contents created by the user or the specific contents are first
opened to only acquaintances and an opening range expands to an opening
range including a third party other than the acquaintances according to a
situation, such as evaluation of the acquaintances. For such a user, it
is difficult to use a service of CGM, which uniformly opens contributed
contents to the public as described above, even though the user desires
to use the service. On the other hand, in the case of the SNS, a user can
set an opening range of a site for every individual, for example, like
"up to friends", "up to friends of a friend", or "opening to the public".
However, such opening range setting is performed in the unit of an
individual site. Accordingly, assuming that text as a diary, a
photograph, a video, and the like included in an individual site are
individual contents, opening ranges of the contents cannot be
individually set.

[0008]That is, as for a service of contents opening on a network under the
current circumstances, a degree of freedom of setting regarding which
kind of opening method (opening mode) is to be used is not high.
Therefore, it can be said that there are lots of rooms for improvements
for making an individual user easily use the service by realizing a
higher degree of freedom of setting.

[0009]Therefore, in view of the above, according to an embodiment of the
present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus
including at least an open server apparatus and a terminal apparatus
communicable with each other through a network. In addition, the
information processing system is configured to include: an opening mode
setting means for setting an opening mode, which is a mode in opening
contents uploaded to the open server apparatus on the network, according
to an input operation in the terminal apparatus; a transmitted content
information creating means for creating content information including at
least body information, which is data used to reproduce substantial
contents, and predetermined additional information as information of the
contents uploaded to the open server apparatus in the terminal apparatus,
at least opening instruction information indicating contents of an
opening mode of current contents set by the opening mode setting means
being created as the additional information; a content information
storing means for storing content information in the open server
apparatus; a content information upload control means for transmitting
content information, which has been created by the transmitted content
information creating means, from the terminal apparatus to the open
server apparatus by communication through the network so as to store the
content information in the content information storing means; and an
opening mode determining means for determining an opening mode of the
content information stored in the content information storing means on
the basis of the opening instruction information of the content
information in the open server apparatus.

[0010]Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus
including: a communication means for executing a communication through a
network; an opening mode setting means for setting an opening mode, which
is a mode in opening contents uploaded to an open server apparatus on the
network, according to an input operation; a transmitted content
information creating means for creating content information including at
least body information, which is data used to reproduce substantial
contents, and predetermined additional information as information of the
contents uploaded to the open server apparatus, at least opening
instruction information indicating contents of an opening mode of current
contents set by the opening mode setting means being created as the
additional information; and a content information upload control means
for transmitting content information, which has been created by the
transmitted content information creating means, to the open server
apparatus, which executes opening of contents in a condition based on the
opening instruction information, by communication through the network.

[0011]Furthermore, according to still another embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided a server apparatus including: a
communication means for executing a communication through a network; a
content information storing means for storing content information
including an opening instruction information which has at least body
information, which is data for reproducing substantial contents, and
predetermined additional information and which is created according to an
input operation from a terminal apparatus side that transmits content
information to the server apparatus, the additional information
indicating at least contents of an opening mode that is a mode in opening
current contents on the network; a download response processing means for
executing required processing in response to access from a terminal
apparatus for downloading content information, which is stored in the
content information storing means, through the network; and an opening
mode determining means for determining an opening mode of content
information stored in the content information storing means on the basis
of the opening instruction information included in the content
information.

[0012]According to each configuration described above, first, content
information can be transmitted to be uploaded to an open server apparatus
(server apparatus) by an information processing apparatus as a terminal
apparatus. Here, for example, it is possible to realize a system
configuration of opening content information uploaded from a terminal
apparatus in an open server apparatus if the open server apparatus has a
function of opening stored contents to the public. In addition, content
information transmitted for upload is configured to include body
information corresponding to the contents and additional information, and
the additional information includes opening instruction information. The
opening instruction information indicates the contents of a mode (opening
mode) when the open server apparatus opens the contents on the network.
In addition, an opening mode which is the origin of the opening
instruction information is set by an input operation on an information
processing apparatus as a terminal apparatus. In addition, in the open
server apparatus, an opening mode of contents uploaded to the open server
apparatus is determined on the basis of contents of the opening
instruction information added to the contents. According to such a
configuration, in the present invention, first, an opening mode can be
individually set for every content information since an opening mode is
determined on the basis of opening instruction information added to every
content information. In addition, since opening instruction information
is created according to an input operation on a terminal apparatus, the
intention of a person who has performed an input operation, that is, the
intention of a person who has uploaded content information is reflected
on corresponding contents.

[0013]As is apparent from the above, in the embodiments of the present
invention, an opening mode of contents uploaded to an open server
apparatus can be individually set for every contents according to the
intention of a person who has uploaded the contents. As a result, a
degree of freedom regarding an opening mode becomes improved than before.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an example of the configuration of a
music editing and sharing system according to an embodiment of the
present invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a basic use mode of the music editing
and sharing system according to the embodiment and an example of
procedures of a system operation corresponding to the use mode;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a view schematically illustrating a flow of secondary
content creation executed by a user terminal apparatus in the embodiment;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a view schematically illustrating a flow of secondary
content reproduction executed by the user terminal apparatus in the
embodiment;

[0018]FIG. 5A is a view illustrating an example of a use mode of editing
material contents in creating secondary contents;

[0019]FIG. 5B is a view illustrating an example of a use mode of editing
material contents in creating secondary contents;

[0020]FIG. 5C is a view illustrating an example of a use mode of editing
material contents in creating secondary contents;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an example of the internal
configuration of a primary content server;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an example of the internal
configuration of a secondary content server;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an example of the internal
configuration of a communication server;

[0024]FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an example of the internal
configuration of a user terminal apparatus;

[0025]FIG. 10 is a view illustrating an example of information contents to
be stored in an HDD of a user terminal apparatus;

[0026]FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an example of the configuration of a
program as a content editing and managing tool of the music editing and
sharing application by using functional blocks;

[0027]FIG. 12 is a view schematically illustrating an example of the
structure of a secondary content reproduction control file;

[0028]FIG. 13 is a view illustrating an example of the structure of used
primary content information and used editing material content information
in a secondary content reproduction control file;

[0029]FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an example of contents of
reproduction control information in a secondary content reproduction
control file;

[0030]FIG. 15 is a view schematically illustrating an example of the
structure of a primary content file;

[0031]FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating an example of processing
procedures for making use permission range setting of editing material
contents reflected in a UI (user interface) when a music editing and
sharing application performs secondary contents editing processing;

[0032]FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating an example of processing
procedures until a music editing and sharing application creates a
secondary content reproduction control file as secondary content editing
processing;

[0033]FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating uploading of secondary contents
performed by a user terminal apparatus and an example of processing
procedures of a secondary content server according to the upload;

[0034]FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating downloading of secondary
contents performed by a user terminal apparatus and an example of
processing procedures of a secondary content server according to the
download;

[0035]FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating an example of processing
procedures for reproduction of secondary contents performed by a user
terminal apparatus;

[0036]FIG. 21A is a view illustrating an example of contents of opening
instruction information;

[0037]FIG. 21B is a view illustrating an example of contents of opening
instruction information;

[0038]FIG. 21C is a view illustrating an example of contents of opening
instruction information;

[0039]FIG. 22 is a flow chart illustrating an example of input processing
procedures for designating information items of opening instruction
information for a music editing and sharing application and an example of
processing that is executed on the basis of a program of the music
editing and sharing application in response to the input operation;

[0040]FIG. 23A is a view illustrating an example of contents of access
history information;

[0041]FIG. 23B is a view illustrating an example of contents of access
history information;

[0042]FIG. 24 is a flow chart illustrating an example of processing
procedures for setting of an opening range (opening mode) of secondary
contents in a secondary content server;

[0043]FIG. 25 is a view illustrating an example of a basic rule regarding
definition of generation of contents in the music editing and sharing
system according to the present embodiment;

[0044]FIG. 26 is a view illustrating an example of a rule regarding
definition of generation of secondary contents in the music editing and
sharing system according to the present embodiment; and

[0045]FIG. 27 is a view illustrating an example of a restriction rule
regarding setting of an opening range (open content range) in connection
with a generation of contents.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046]FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an information
processing system according to a preferred embodiment (herein after,
referred to as an "embodiment") for embodying the present invention. As
shown in the drawing, first, an information processing system of the
present embodiment may be formed by connecting a primary content server
1, a secondary content server (open server apparatus) 2, a communication
server 3, and a plurality of user terminal apparatuses 4 to one another
through a network 5. The information processing system according to the
present embodiment realizes a music distributing and sharing system by
adopting such an apparatus configuration. That is, as will be understood
from the following description, so-called music distribution
(distribution of primary contents) and sharing among users of contents
(secondary contents), which aregenerated by the users, on a network are
realized.

[0047]The primary content server 1 is configured to store a plurality of
audio content data, which serves as primary contents and is based on a
predetermined format, so as to be managed in a database. In addition, the
primary content server 1 is configured such that audio data as designated
primary contents is transmitted and output to the requesting user
terminal apparatus 4 in response to a download request that is made from
the user terminal apparatus 4 through a network. Here, the audio data as
primary contents includes contents as music, which is performed by an
artist and the like, provided by a cooperating label firm, for example.

[0048]The secondary content server 2 is configured to be able to store a
plurality of data of a secondary content reproduction control file
(secondary content information), which is data as secondary contents, so
as to be compiled and managed as a database. As will be described later,
the secondary content reproduction control file is uploaded from the user
terminal apparatus 4 to the secondary content server 2 through a network.
The secondary content server 2 stores the secondary content reproduction
control file, which has been uploaded in this way, as secondary contents.
In addition, the secondary content server 2 is configured such that a
designated secondary content reproduction control file is transmitted and
output to the requesting user terminal apparatus 4 in response to a
download request that is made from the user terminal apparatus 4 through
a network.

[0049]In addition, the secondary content server 2 in the present
embodiment is configured to have a function as a web server for
publicizing a site opened to the public 2a, which is a Web site designed
to make the secondary contents opened to the public, on the network. As
will be described later, methods of downloading data of secondary
contents in the present embodiment include a method in which the user
terminal apparatus 4 directly designates a URL (indicating a storage
location of the secondary content information) in order to perform a
download request (access) to the secondary content server 2 and a method
in which the user terminal apparatus 4 accesses the site opened to the
public 2a and searches, for example, one specific secondary content
information from secondary content information opened to the public in
order to download data.

[0050]The communication server 3 is a server having a function of
providing an information transmission service by an individual user or
providing a communication service among users like an SNS (social
networking service) or a CGM (consumer generated media), such as a blog.

[0051]The user terminal apparatus 4 is a network apparatus that a normal
user uses. As an actual example of the user terminal apparatus 4, there
is a personal computer having a network communication function, such as a
LAN. In the user terminal apparatuses 4, an application program of a
music editing and sharing application 100 is installed, which will be
described later. A user may perform downloading of primary contents from
the primary content server 1, generation of new secondary contents by an
editing work based on the downloaded primary contents (and secondary
contents), uploading of the generated secondary contents (that is, a
secondary content reproduction control file) to the secondary content
server 2, downloading of the secondary contents (secondary content
reproduction control file) from the secondary content server 2, use of an
SNS service using the communication server 3, use of writing/access of a
blog, and the like by operating the music editing and sharing application
100.

[0052]Next, an example of a basic operation of the information processing
system according to the present embodiment in which the configuration
shown in FIG. 1 is adopted will be described with reference to FIG. 2 by
using an example of basic use performed by a user of the user terminal
apparatus 4. In addition, description with reference to FIG. 2 is made
according to numbers of procedures and operations shown by alphanumeric
characters in [ ] in the drawing. Here, two user terminal apparatuses 4A
and 4B that two users A and B use, respectively, are shown as the user
terminal apparatuses 4. In addition, the network 5 existing among the
primary content server 1, the secondary content server 2, the
communication server 3, and the user terminal apparatuses 4 is not shown
in the drawing.

[0053]Procedure 1: First, the user A performs an operation of causing the
user terminal apparatus 4A (music editing and sharing application 100) to
search primary contents that the user wants to download and of
downloading the searched primary contents. According to the operation,
the user terminal apparatus 4A transmits a download request to the
primary content server 1.

[0054]Furthermore, in the music distributing and sharing system in the
present embodiment, download of primary contents is basically charged.
The user A needs to perform an appropriate purchase procedure in
transmitting a download request to the primary content server 1 as
described above. Regarding the purchase procedure, for example, a payment
procedure for a fee that is set individually in the unit of a song or an
album may be adopted or a subscription procedure called subscription,
which is often adopted these days, may be adopted. In addition, the
primary contents may be provided for free. In this case, the user A does
not need to perform the purchase procedure.

[0055]In addition, when a download request is thus received, the primary
content server 1 first determines whether or not the download request is
a valid download request by performing authentication of a requesting
user, checking payment of a fee, and the like, for example. Then, if it
is determined that the download request is a valid download request, the
primary content server 1 searches primary contents, which are designated
together with the download request, from primary contents stored in the
primary content server 1 and transmits data (primary content data) as the
searched primary contents to the requesting user terminal apparatus 4.
Here, for clear understanding of explanation, the substantial body of the
primary contents that the primary content server 1 stores therein while
performing database management are assumed to have a file structure that
includes as main information audio data (data for reproducing substantial
contents as primary contents), which is based on a predetermined format,
having music contents as primary contents and that includes various kinds
of metadata (song title, artist, and title, genre, data format, data
size, and the like of a corresponding album) relevant to the basic
information. That is, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the
primary content data has a structure having digital audio data, which
allows the music contents to be obtained by performing a music
reproduction output, as main data.

[0056]The primary content data transmitted from the primary content server
1 as described above is received by the user terminal apparatus 4A. The
user terminal apparatus 4A (music editing and sharing application 100)
stores the received primary content data in a storage medium, such as an
internal HDD. The music editing and sharing application 100 has a
function of managing the primary content data stored as described above
in a predetermined method, for example, on the basis of metadata and of
executing a reproduction control corresponding to a user's operation.
Thus, the primary content data stored in the primary content server 1 can
be downloaded to the user terminal apparatus 4 in principle that a user
purchases the primary content data. That is, so-called music distribution
is performed as a first procedure (operation). In addition, the primary
content data stored in the user terminal apparatus 4A may be reproduced
by the music editing and sharing application 100 and, for example, be
heard through an audio device connected to the user terminal apparatus
4A.

[0057]Procedure 2: In general, in the case of music distribution performed
through a network, use after download is restricted to use, such as
reproduction after copy restriction on predetermined digital audio data
is applied. That is, a user who has acquired audio contents by download
is permitted to use the audio contents within a predetermined range, but
it is general that a right to create a song as secondary creation, for
example, by performing edition on the basis of the acquired audio
contents is not granted to the user. On the other hand, in the present
embodiment, it is assumed in principle that the primary content data is
audio contents which are permitted to be used (secondary use and
secondary editing) as materials for secondary creation within a range set
beforehand. Furthermore, for clear understanding of explanation, the
secondary use of primary contents in the present embodiment is set within
a range of a right permitted by a writer of a song as primary contents.
In addition, the music editing and sharing application 100 in the present
embodiment may create audio contents as new music by executing editing
processing corresponding to a user's operation by secondarily using the
primary contents, which are managed (stored) by the music editing and
sharing application 100, as editing materials. Furthermore, for example,
when editing such audio contents, it may be possible to acquire plug-in
data corresponding to a predetermined special effect, which is provided
in an effect database 6, and to perform editing using the acquired data.
Similarly, it may be possible to acquire sound materials provided in a
material database 7 and to perform editing while adding the sound
materials. In addition, the effect database 6 and the material database 7
may be provided on a network or may locally exist in the user terminal
apparatus 4A. Here, the audio contents created as described above are
referred to as secondary contents in order to distinguish the audio
contents from primary contents. As a second procedure (operation), one
secondary content is created by causing the music editing and sharing
application 100 to perform an operation on the user terminal apparatus
4A, which is in an operation state.

[0058]In addition, the substantial body of data as the secondary contents
created through the second procedure (operation) is configured to have
reproduction control information as a main body, which is not digital
audio data having the music contents unlike the primary contents. That
is, the data as the secondary contents is reproduction control
information in which designation of an effect (special effect) and the
like starting from designation on which part of digital audio data as
secondary audio contents (editing material contents) is reproduced and
output at which timing are described. That is, as a flow of secondary
editing performed by the music editing and sharing application 100, as
schematically shown in FIG. 3, secondary content reproduction control
information that is not configured to include audio data but configured
to include reproduction control information is created and output as a
result of performing editing processing corresponding to a user's
operation by using editing material contents A, B, and C that are objects
of secondary use.

[0059]The data size of the secondary content data (that is, secondary
content reproduction control information) as the reproduction control
information can be significantly reduced when compared with audio data,
for example. Thus, the secondary content server 2 can be efficiently used
by saving the storage capacity of a storage medium, such as an HDD, in
which secondary content data is stored. In addition, since the amount of
data to be transmitted may be small even in transmitting and receiving
the secondary content data on a network, for example, a traffic load does
not occur.

[0060]It is called sampling, mashup, and the like to create secondary
creation as new music by performing editing using known music as
materials like the secondary editing in the present embodiment, which are
often performed by professional musicians and the like. Taking the above
into consideration, it is natural that some of the public may have a
desire to create music as a secondary work in the same manner as
described above. However, it is very difficult that the public creates
music as a secondary work in a condition in which a problem related with
copyright is properly cleared.

[0061]Therefore, as a music distributing and sharing system in the present
embodiment, first, it is preferable to increase user's pleasure by
permitting a normal user to legally perform secondary editing using
distributed music. For this reason, primary contents are set as audio
contents that a user, who downloads (purchases) the contents, is
permitted to secondarily use in a range of a right permitted by a
copyright holder. That is, a music distribution service performed by the
primary content server 1 according to the present embodiment distributes
audio contents whose second use is positively permitted. However, in the
present embodiment, a work of editing primary contents for secondary use
is limited to a user's operation on the music editing and sharing
application 100 developed corresponding to at least a music editing and
sharing system according to the present embodiment. For example, it is
difficult to perform the work of editing primary contents with other
editing software which is not related to the music editing and sharing
system according to the present embodiment. A structure forth is will be
described later.

[0062]Procedure 3: The secondary content reproduction control file as
secondary contents created by the user A like the procedure 2 is stored
only in the terminal apparatus 4A of the user A, such that a sound of
music contents as the secondary contents may be reproduced by performing
processing using a reproduction function of the music editing and sharing
application 100 as will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, by permitting secondary contents
created by a user to be opened to the public on a network so that other
users who receive a service of the music editing and sharing application
100 in the present embodiment may share the secondary contents. It is
assumed that the user A desires to share secondary contents created in
the previous procedure 2. Therefore, the user A uploads the secondary
contents created in the procedure 2 to the secondary content server 2 by
performing a predetermined operation on the music editing and sharing
application 100. This is the procedure 3. As described earlier, the
substantial body of data as secondary contents serves as a secondary
content reproduction control file. Therefore, by upload of the secondary
contents in the procedure 3, the user terminal apparatus 4A (music
editing and sharing application 100) transmits and outputs the secondary
content reproduction control file together with an upload request.

[0063]Procedure 4 and the 4-1: When the upload request is received as
described above, the secondary content server 2 newly registers and
stores a secondary content reproduction control file, which is data of
the secondary contents transmitted together with the request, in a
database in principle. In this case, the secondary content server 2
performs processing for storing the secondary content reproduction
control file and registration to the database after setting a storage
location (for example, expressed by an address, such as a URL (uniform
resource locator)). This is the procedure 4.

[0064]In addition, the secondary content server 2 has a function of
opening the secondary contents registered in the database to the public
by registering the data of the secondary contents in the database as
described above. That is, as a procedure 4-1, the secondary content
server 2 opens the secondary contents, which are registered in the
database in the procedure 4, to the public. Here, in the present
embodiment, opening of the secondary contents include two modes of
opening to the public and opening to specific persons. First, opening to
the public refers that the secondary content server 2 permits secondary
contents to be opened to the public on the site opened to the public 2a
that is opened on a network. The site opened to the public 2a is a site
whose URL, for example, is generally opened to the public and that a
"normal user" can access through a network without any limitation.
Moreover, in the site opened to the public 2a, data of secondary contents
uploaded to the secondary content server 2 and stored in the secondary
content server 2 is not opened to the public without any condition but
only data, which is set to be opened to the public as a result of
satisfying a predetermined condition, is registered and opened to the
public. In the site opened to the public 2a, the secondary contents
registered as contents to be opened to the public as described above are
managed by using a database (database of secondary contents opened to the
public), for example. In addition, the registered secondary contents are
presented on a predetermined interface screen. For example, at a side of
the user terminal apparatus 4, it is possible to search the secondary
contents registered in the database of secondary contents opened to the
public and to download desired secondary contents through an operation on
the interface screen of the site opened to the public 2a. In addition, it
depends on the management of the music editing and sharing system
according to the present embodiment which kind of user is specifically
indicated by a normal user who enjoys the opening to the public referred
herein, that is, which kind of permission condition on access in opening
the site opened to the public 2a on a network. For example, it is first
considered that any kind of network terminal in which a web browser is
installed is permitted to access the open site 2a. That is, the normal
user in this case refers to a person capable of accessing an arbitrary
Web site on a network (for example, Internet) by operating a Web browser
of a terminal apparatus. Alternatively, it may be possible to consider an
opening method in which only a user registered as a user of the music
editing and sharing system according to the present embodiment is
permitted to have access from the music editing and sharing application
100 (web browser may also be considered). In this case, it is considered
to adopt a system configuration in which a user ID and a password for
authentication set at the time of registration are required to be input
for access (login) to the site opened to the public 2a. The normal user
in this case is all users registered as persons using the music editing
and sharing system according to the present embodiment. In any case, a
user who can access the site opened to the public 2a under the opening to
the public has the generality, as compared with a case in which there
occurs a limitation in a user capable of accessing one secondary content
in the case of opening to specific persons to be described below. The
opening to specific persons refers a mode of opening in which opening to
the public using the site opened to the public 2a is not performed but
secondary contents stored in a designated URL is transmitted to a
requesting source, in principle, in response to a download request that
is made from the user terminal apparatus 4 (for example, the music
editing and sharing application 100 or a Web browser) to the secondary
content server 2 by directly designating the URL. That is, since the
secondary contents opened to specific persons are not registered in the
site opened to the public 2a, all normal users may not download the
secondary contents by access through the site opened to the public 2a.
However, as for secondary contents opened to specific persons, some
limited users of normal users can acquire information on a URL of the
secondary contents through notification of the URL of the secondary
contents individually distributed by a creator or word-of-mouth
transmission of information notification on a network. Furthermore, in
principle, the secondary content server 2 permits secondary contents, of
which a URL is directly designated, to be downloaded regardless of
opening to the public or opening to specific persons. Accordingly, a user
who has acquired the URL as described above can download the secondary
contents by accessing the URL by operating the user terminal apparatus 4.
In this manner, the secondary content server 2 in the present embodiment
is configured such that the secondary contents downloaded and stored
through the procedure 3 are opened on the basis of one mode of the
opening to the public and the opening to specific persons. In addition,
it will be described later how the secondary content server 2 selects a
mode of opening the secondary contents between opening to the public and
the opening to specific persons.

[0065]Procedure 5: After a secondary content reproduction control file is
stored and managed in an opening state of the opening to the public or
the opening to specific persons as described above, the secondary content
server 2 transmits an address (storage location address), which indicates
a storage location, to the user terminal apparatus 4A of an upload
requesting source in order to notify the storage location from which the
secondary contents (secondary content reproduction control file) have
been uploaded. The music editing and sharing application 100 of the user
terminal apparatus 4A receives the storage location address and stores
the received storage location address in a predetermined storage medium
so as to manage the storage location address. The user A can output the
storage location address of the secondary contents that he or she has
uploaded in the procedure 2 any time by performing a predetermined
operation on the music editing and sharing application 100.

[0066]Procedure 6: Then, the user A who has acquired the storage location
address as described above may notify other users that his or her
secondary contents are opened in the secondary content server 2 through
some means. Since the procedure 6 corresponds to one means of the opening
notification, a user may access the communication server 3 in order to
write a notification, which indicates that secondary contents created by
the user are opened (opening herein may be either opening to the public
or opening to specific persons), in his or her page in the SNS, his or
her blog, and the like, as shown in the drawing. In this case, the user A
may write a URL as a storage location address, which is acquired in the
procedure 5, together with the notification.

[0067]Procedure 7: When, for example, a user B accesses the page of the
user A in the SNS or the blog of the user A by operating the music
editing and sharing application 100 installed in the user terminal
apparatus 4B after the user A performed writing in the procedure 6, it is
notified to the user B that the secondary contents of the user A has been
newly opened to the public. That is, in this case, the user B indirectly
receives a notification regarding new opening of the secondary contents,
which have been created by the user A, through the SNS or the blog. The
procedure 7 indicates that such indirect notification of opening of
secondary contents is performed.

[0068]Procedure 8: In addition, a procedure 8 is prepared as another means
for opening notification. In the procedure 8, for example, the user A
notifies the user B that the secondary contents created by the user A
have been opened to the public by creating and transmitting a mail using
a mail function provided in the SNS. This is a more direct notification
than a notification based on a flow of the procedures 6 and 7. In
addition, even when making a notification using an E-mail or the like as
described above, a storage location address of the secondary contents may
be added in the body, for example.

[0069]Furthermore, in the procedures 7 and 8, an explanation on
notification of opening of secondary contents has been limited to
notification between two persons of the users A and B for the convenience
of explanation. However, in actuality, the notification is often
performed among three or more persons. As an example, there is a case in
which the user B receives a notification from the user A and then the
user B notifies another user that the user A opens the secondary contents
to the public in a blog or a page of the SNS distributed by the user B
through a means as the procedure 7 or the procedure 8. Thus, information
distributed from one place spreads through a word-of-mouth communication
path on a network. The information transmission on such a network may
also be regarded as one mode of notification of opening of secondary
contents in the present embodiment.

[0070]Procedure 9: In such a manner described above, the user B can see
that the secondary contents created by the user A have been newly opened
to the public since the user B directly or indirectly receives a
notification that the secondary contents created by the user A have been
newly opened to the public. In addition, if the user desires to listen to
the newly opened secondary contents of the user A, the user B can
download the secondary contents by executing access with the music
editing and sharing application 100 (or web browser) of the user terminal
apparatus 4. This is the procedure 9. When downloading the secondary
contents, for example, a clicking operation on a storage location address
shown as a link within the body of a page of a diary of the SNS or a blog
is performed. For clear understanding of explanation, in the case where
information on an address, such as a URL, is written in performing
writing on a page of a diary of the SNS or a blog, this character string
portion is opened as a link. In response to the clicking operation
performed for the storage location address as described above, the music
editing and sharing application 100 accesses the storage location
address. That is, the music editing and sharing application 100 accesses
an address indicating a location where a file (secondary content
reproduction control file) of secondary contents, which have been created
by the user A and are opened to the public, among addresses on the
secondary content server 2. Then, the secondary content reproduction
control file stored in the storage location is transmitted to the user
terminal apparatus 4B. Then, the secondary content reproduction control
file transmitted as described above is received at a side of the user
terminal apparatus 4B and is stored and managed by a control of the music
editing and sharing application 100. Thus, downloading of the secondary
contents is performed. Direct and indirect notification of opening of
secondary contents to the user B in the above-described procedures 7 and
8 and downloading of secondary contents in the procedure 9 correspond to
notification of a URL of secondary contents to other users and
downloading based on directly designating a URL that is a storage place
of the secondary contents, respectively, which have been already
described as those performed at the time of opening to specific persons.
In this case, as already described above, procedures of the notification
and downloading based on the procedures 7, 8, and 9 may also be applied
to secondary contents that are opened to the public through the site
opened to the public 2a.

[0071]Procedure 10: In addition, the user B is entitled, as a "normal
user", to access the site opened to the public 2a, which is a web server
opened to the public in the secondary content server 2, by means of the
user terminal apparatus 4B. Then, the user B can access the site opened
to the public 2a by operating the user terminal apparatus 4B (music
editing and sharing application or web browser), search desire secondary
contents as described above, download the searched secondary contents,
and then store and manage the downloaded secondary contents. In the case
of downloading the secondary contents by directly using information on a
URL like the procedure 9, only secondary contents corresponding to a URL
acquired as a result of, for example, notification or word-of-mouth
transmission can be downloaded. In contrast to those described above, in
the procedure 10, secondary contents opened to the public are set as
candidates to be selected and arbitrary contents are selected from the
secondary contents and then the selected contents are downloaded.

[0072]Procedure 11: After the secondary contents of the user A downloaded
in the procedure 9 as described above are stored or the secondary
contents downloaded in the procedure 10 are stored, the secondary
contents can be reproduced by the music editing and sharing application
100 of the user terminal apparatus 4B. The procedure 11 is a procedure in
which a song as the secondary contents is reproduced and output as a
sound in response to an reproduction instruction operation of the user B
using the music editing and sharing application 100.

[0073]Here, a concept of reproduction of secondary contents performed by
the editing and sharing application 100 is shown in FIG. 4. In
reproduction of the secondary contents, the music editing and sharing
application 100 first analyzes a secondary content reproduction control
file that is the substantial data. As a result of the analysis, for
example, it can be recognized at least which audio contents are used as
editing material contents, and which portion in each of the editing
material contents is used in which way and in which reproduction time,
and the like. Moreover, in this drawing, it is assumed that each of the
audio contents of the editing material contents A, B, and C is used as an
editing material corresponding to FIG. 3 described earlier. In addition,
according to the recognition result, the music editing and sharing
application 100 executes a reproduction control by using at least actual
audio data as the editing material contents A, B, and C. As a result,
contents of a song as secondary contents are reproduced as sound.

[0074]In addition, according to the above description with reference to
FIG. 4, actual audio data as audio contents (editing material contents)
secondarily used in the secondary contents is required for reproduction
of the secondary contents. That is, in order to reproduce secondary
contents, actual audio data of editing material contents needs to exist
on the same local as the music editing and sharing application 100 even
if it is temporary. Therefore, if corresponding editing material contents
are not stored on the local when secondary contents are reproduced, it is
necessary to acquire the editing material contents so that the editing
material contents can exist on the local.

[0075]Procedure 12: Then, in the above case, it is necessary to execute a
procedure for downloading and acquiring the editing material contents
which do not exist on the local. The procedure 12 shown in FIG. 2 is a
procedure for executing those described above in a process of content
reproduction through the procedure 11. As can be understood from
description up to now, since editing material contents are actual audio
data, the editing material contents are, in principle, primary contents.
Therefore, in the procedure 12, access to the primary content server 1 is
performed to download primary contents which are required for
reproduction of the secondary contents in the procedure 11 and which do
not exist on the local. By the download, the editing material contents
required for reproduction of the secondary contents come to exist all on
the local. As a result, it becomes possible to normally execute
reproduction and output as described above with reference to FIG. 4.

[0076]In addition, several states may be considered as states of audio
data of the primary contents which exist on the local by the download in
the procedure 11. As a first example, a mode in which primary contents
are present on the local in a state where the primary contents are stored
in an auxiliary storage device, such as an HDD, like the case of normal
downloading in the procedure 1 may be considered. As another example, a
mode in which primary contents are temporarily stored in a main storage
device, such as a RAM and, for example, the primary contents are deleted
according to a state of the music editing and sharing application 100
whose reproduction operation on the secondary contents is not permitted
may also be considered. For example, although it has been described that
primary contents are charged in principle, management, such as no charge
or setting of a fee cheaper than normal download may be considered in the
latter case.

[0077]In addition, according to the above description with reference to
FIG. 2, creation of secondary contents in the present embodiment is
performed by using primary contents as editing material contents.
However, not only the primary contents but also secondary contents may be
included as editing material contents. This point will now be described
with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C. FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate cases in
which one secondary content is created by performing editing by
secondarily using two editing material contents. First, FIG. 5A
illustrates a case where editing material contents A and B are primary
contents, which is similar to the example of creation of secondary
contents described with reference to FIG. 2. That is, a case in which
secondary contents are created by executing editing processing using
primary contents A as the editing material contents A and primary
contents B, which are primary contents different from the primary
contents A, as the editing material contents B is shown. In this case,
the secondary contents are configured to include at least a part of the
primary contents A and the primary contents B as contents, as shown in
the drawing. That is, the primary contents A and B are used as editing
materials (original editing materials) of an origin. FIG. 5B illustrates
a case in which secondary contents can be created by performing editing
by using the editing material contents A, which are the same primary
contents as in FIG. 5A, and editing material contents C, which are
secondary contents created by secondarily using primary contents C and D.
In this case, the secondary contents have at least a part of the primary
contents A included in the editing material contents A and at least a
part of each of the primary contents C and D included in the editing
material contents C, thereby forming contents of a song. That is, the
primary contents A, C, and D serve as original editing materials.
Accordingly, in the case of reproducing new secondary contents shown in
FIG. 5B, it is necessary to place the primary contents A, C, and D on the
local. FIG. 5C illustrates a case in which secondary contents can be
newly created by performing editing by secondarily using two editing
material contents C and D which are secondary contents. In this case, the
newly created secondary contents have at least a part of each of the
primary contents C and D included in the editing material contents C and
at least a part of each of primary contents E and F included in the
editing material contents D, thereby forming contents of a song.
Accordingly, in the case of reproducing new secondary contents shown in
FIG. 5C, it is necessary to place the primary contents C, D, E, and F,
which are original editing materials, on the local. Moreover, in the case
of using secondary contents as editing material contents for creating
secondary contents as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the user first performs,
for example, downloading in order to place the secondary contents as
editing material contents on the local such that the secondary contents
are stored in the user terminal apparatus 4, in the same manner as the
case in which primary contents are treated as editing material contents.

[0078]In addition, when the secondary content server 2 transmits secondary
content data in response to a secondary content download request in the
procedure 9 shown in FIG. 2, the secondary content data is encoded. The
encryption can be decoded by the music editing and sharing application
100 of a regular user. At this time, the music editing and sharing
application 100 is made to operate such that only secondary content data
decoded through the encryption processing is reproduced but, for example,
secondary contents which are not encoded from the origin or secondary
contents which are encoded on the basis of another method or an
algorithm. That is, the music editing and sharing application 100
reproduce only secondary content data, which is acquired by downloading
from the secondary content server 2, among secondary contents acquired
from the outside. Accordingly, even if direct exchange of a secondary
content file among users occurs, for example, through a network
communication based on P2P (pier to pier), file attaching in an E-mail,
direct communication among user terminal apparatuses based on an FTP
(file transport protocol) or the like, or exchange among users using
removable media, the file cannot be appropriately reproduced since the
file that a user thus acquires is not encoded by the secondary content
server 2. That is, in the present embodiment, secondary contents of other
persons cannot be appropriately reproduced if the secondary contents are
not downloaded from the secondary content server 2. As a result, in the
music editing and sharing system according to the present embodiment, it
is prevented that illegal secondary contents in violation of copyright
circulate and increase on a network. Thus, it is possible to protect the
right of copyright holders of primary contents and secondary contents,
for example.

[0079]As can be understood from the above description with reference to
FIGS. 2 and 5A to 5C, in the music distributing and sharing system
according to the present embodiment, first, downloading of primary
contents is possible. That is, a user can download (purchase) a favorite
song through normal music distribution and listen to and enjoy the song.
Furthermore, since the use right is set in the primary contents such that
the primary contents can be secondarily used as editing materials, the
user can create his or her own work by performing editing using the
primary contents as materials. Moreover, secondary contents, which are
works created in such a way, may also be opened to the public by using a
communication technique, such as an SNS and a blog. That is, it is
possible to appropriately perform an act in which a normal user performs
editing by using a song with copyright as a material to thereby newly
create audio contents (secondary contents) and opens the secondary
contents to the public, which has been legally difficult due to problems,
such as copyright.

[0080]Furthermore, in the present embodiment, substantial information
(body information) of the substantial body of secondary contents is
reproduction control information formed including at least description
which instructs reproduction of the primary contents, which are original
editing materials used in the corresponding secondary contents. The music
editing and sharing application 100 has not only a function of
reproducing secondary contents but also a function of creating secondary
contents. For this reason, as a mode of reproduction of secondary
contents, not only processing for sound reproduction can be executed but
also edited contents of secondary contents reproduced can be reflected on
a user interface having the editing function, for example. That is, as a
benefit that the substantial contents of secondary contents are
reproduction control information, the user can see in detail how the
downloaded secondary contents are edited by using the editing function of
the music editing and sharing application 100.

[0081]Next, an example of the technical configuration for realizing the
use and operations as the music distributing and sharing system in the
present embodiment, which has been explained heretofore, will be
described. First, FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the internal
configuration of the primary content server 1. As shown in the drawing,
the primary content server 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit
12, an authentication processing unit 13, a search processing unit 14, a
database managing unit 15, a payment processing unit 16, an encryption
processing unit 17, and a network interface 18.

[0082]The control unit 11 is a unit that executes an overall control of
various kinds of control processing in the primary content server 1. The
storage unit 12 is configured to include, for example, an HDD and stores
a primary content database 12a therein. The primary content database 12a
is an information unit in which an audio data file as primary contents to
be distributed is compiled as a database. In addition, the audio data
file as primary contents has a predetermined format including various
kinds of metadata in addition to actual data as audio data.

[0083]For example, when a download request is made, the authentication
processing unit 13 executes required authentication processing for
determining whether or not the user is a regular user by using a user ID
or a password included in the request. Transmission of primary contents
corresponding to the request is performed only when a result of the
authentication processing is O.K.

[0084]The search processing unit 14 is a unit that executes processing for
searching desired primary contents in collaboration with the database
managing unit 15 by accessing the primary content database 12a. The
database managing unit 15 performs management of the primary content
database 12a. For example, in the case when new primary contents are
supplied, the database managing unit 15 updates the primary content
database 12a such that the new primary contents are registered in the
primary content database 12a. Similarly, in the case when primary
contents need to be deleted, deletion of the primary content data and
updating of database according to the deletion are performed.

[0086]The encryption processing unit 17 is a unit that executes
predetermined encryption processing on primary content data which is to
be transmitted from the primary content server 1 to the user terminal
apparatus 4.

[0087]The network interface 18 is a unit for performing a communication
through the network 5. For example, reception of a download request and
transmission of primary content data corresponding to the download
request are realized when the network interface 18 executes communication
processing according to a control of the control unit 11.

[0088]FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the internal configuration of the
secondary content server 2. As shown in the drawing, the secondary
content server 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an
authentication processing unit 23, a search processing unit 24, a
database managing unit 25, a storage location setting processing unit 26,
an encryption processing unit 27, a managing unit 28 for sites opened to
the public, and a network interface 29.

[0089]The control unit 21 is a unit that executes an overall control of
various kinds of control processing in the secondary content server 2.
The storage unit 22 is configured to include, for example, an HDD and
stores various kinds of required data, information, and the like. In
addition, the storage unit 22 may also be used as a region where, for
example, a program executed by a CPU that forms the control unit 21 is
stored in order to realize a function as the secondary content server 2.
Here, a secondary content database 22a and a database 22b for sites
opened to the public are shown as information stored in the storage unit
22.

[0090]The secondary content database 22a is an information unit in which
the entire secondary contents (substantially, a secondary content
reproduction control file) uploaded to the secondary content server 2 are
compiled as a database. In addition, the database 22b for sites opened to
the public is an information unit in which secondary contents, which are
set to be opened to the public, among the entire secondary contents
registered in the secondary content database 22a are registered in a
database.

[0091]For example, when a request of downloading secondary contents is
made, the authentication processing unit 23 executes required
authentication processing for determining whether or not the user is a
regular user by using a user ID or a password included in the request.

[0092]The search processing unit 24 is a unit that executes processing for
searching desired secondary contents in collaboration with the database
managing unit 25 by accessing the primary content database 22a. The
database managing unit 25 performs management of the secondary content
database 22a. For example, in the case when the secondary contents
(secondary content reproduction control file) has been newly uploaded,
the database managing unit 25 updates the secondary content database 22a
by registering uploaded secondary contents. Similarly, in the case when
secondary contents (secondary content reproduction control file) are
deleted, deletion processing therefore and updating of database according
to a result of the deletion are performed.

[0093]In addition, a generation managing portion 25a and an opening range
managing portion 25b are shown herein as a part of functional units
relevant to various kinds of database management assumed to be included
in the database managing unit 25. The generation managing portion 25a is
a portion for executing the management of a generation of secondary
contents stored in the secondary content server 2. In addition, a concept
of a generation of contents in the present embodiment, an example of
generation managing processing executed by the generation managing
portion 25a will be described later.

[0094]The secondary content server 2 in the present embodiment may perform
setting for changing a mode (opening range) of opening on a network with
respect to secondary contents stored as will be described later. The
opening range managing portion 25b is a functional portion in charge of
control and processing related to such opening range setting.

[0095]The encryption processing unit 27 is a unit that executes
predetermined encryption processing on secondary content data which is to
be transmitted from the secondary content server 2 to the user terminal
apparatus 4. In addition, depending on system management, a case in which
secondary content data is encrypted and transmitted from the user
terminal apparatus 4 when the secondary contents are uploaded may be
considered. In this case, the encryption processing unit 27 is configured
to execute processing for decoding the encryption.

[0096]The managing unit 28 for sites opened to the public is a unit that
executes various kinds of management processing for making the site
opened to the public 2a properly operating by using the database 22b for
sites opened to the public.

[0097]The network interface 29 is a unit for performing a communication
through the network 5. For example, reception of uploaded secondary
contents or a download request and transmission of secondary content data
(secondary content reproduction control file) corresponding to the
download request are realized when the network interface 29 executes
communication processing according to the control of the control unit 21.

[0098]FIG. 8 illustrates an example of the internal configuration of the
communication server 3. As shown in the drawing, the communication server
3 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an authentication
processing unit 33, a blog running processing unit 34, an SNS running
processing unit 35, and a network interface 36. In this case, the
communication server 3 supplies a communication service of an SNS and a
blog.

[0099]The control unit 31 is a unit that executes an overall control of
various kinds of control processing in the communication server 3. The
storage unit 32 is configured to include, for example, an HDD and stores
a blog database 32a and an SNS database 32b therein. For example, the
blog database 32a is an information unit in which data of a blog made by
a user is compiled as a database. In addition, the SNS database 32b is an
information unit in which page contents for every user of the SNS are
compiled as a database.

[0100]In this case, the authentication processing unit 33 executes
authentication processing using a user ID, a password, and the like
included in the request in response to login for updating of a blog, a
request of login to the SNS, and the like. If a result of the
authentication processing is O.K., the login is successful.

[0101]The blog running processing unit 34 executes various kinds of
required processing for properly running a blog. For example, the blog
running processing unit 34 executes processing for transmission of data
of a blog screen or transmission of a blog write screen in response to a
request of access to a blog from the user terminal apparatus 4 or a
request of a write screen of a regular blog. In addition, the blog
running processing unit 34 executes processing for managing the blog
database 32a, for example, updates blog database 32a such that writing to
a blog is reflected.

[0102]Similarly, the SNS running processing unit 35 executes processing
for properly running the SNS, for example, processing for transmitting
data of corresponding page in response to a request of access to the page
of the SNS or database management including update of the SNS database
32b for reflecting writing of a diary or the like.

[0103]The network interface 36 is a unit for performing a communication
through the network 5. Thus, transmission of page data corresponding to
the request of access to a blog or the SNS becomes possible. Here, the
communication server 3 is provided corresponding to the SNS and a blog.
However, different servers may be provided for the SNS and the blog. In
addition, a CGM-related service allowing an individual user to distribute
information, such as a site managed by an individual called a homepage
that has been well known before the SNS and the blog appears, may also be
provided in addition to the SNS and the blog.

[0104]FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the internal configuration of the
user terminal apparatus 4. Furthermore, in this case, hardware as the
user terminal apparatus 4 is assumed to be a personal computer. First,
the user terminal apparatus 4 includes a network interface 44 used to
perform a communication through a network 5. Since the network interface
44 is provided, the user terminal apparatus 4 may communicate with the
primary content server 1, the secondary content server 2, the
communication server 3, and the other user terminal apparatuses 4, for
example, through the network 5.

[0105]A CPU (central processing unit) 41 can execute various kinds of
processing according to an OS (operating system) installed in an HDD
(hard disk drive) 48, various kinds of application programs, and a
program stored in a ROM 42. In the present embodiment, an application
program as the music editing and sharing application 100 is installed. A
RAM 43 is a working area for the CPU 41. Data, programs, and the like
required for the CPU 41 to execute various kinds of processing are
appropriately stored in the RAM 43.

[0106]In this case, an input device 46, such as a keyboard or a mouse, is
connected to an input/output interface 45 and an operation signal output
from the input device 46 is converted into a signal adapted to the CPU 41
and is output to the CPU 41. In addition, a media drive 47 is connected
to the input/output interface 45. The media drive 47 is a drive device
configured such that record and reproduction of data in removable media
having a predetermined format is possible.

[0107]In addition, an HDD 48 provided with a hard disk as a storage medium
is connected to the input/output interface 45. The CPU 41 can perform
recording or reading of data or a program with respect to a hard disk of
the hard disk drive 48 through the input/output interface 45. In
addition, a display monitor 49 for image display is also connected to the
input/output interface 45.

[0108]FIG. 10 illustrates an example of content of data stored in the HDD
48 in connection with the use of the music editing and sharing system
according to the present embodiment. As shown in the drawing, for the
music editing and sharing system according to the present embodiment, the
music editing and sharing application 100 is first stored as data of an
application program. In addition, storage of the music editing and
sharing application 100 into the HDD 48 is performed by installation
processing. In addition, one or more primary content files (primary
content file group 103) and one or more secondary content reproduction
control files (secondary content reproduction control file group 104) are
stored as application files by control of the music editing and sharing
application 100.

[0109]In this case, the music editing and sharing application 100 may be
largely divided into a program portion serving as a content managing and
editing tool 101 and a program portion serving as a communication tool
102 from a functional point of view. The content managing and editing
tool 101 executes downloading of a primary content file (which is
configured to include audio data and metadata) or a secondary content
reproduction control file and a file operation with respect to a primary
content file of the primary content file group 103 and a secondary
content reproduction control file of the secondary content reproduction
control file group 104. In addition, the content managing and editing
tool 101 also executes editing processing corresponding to an editing
operation, processing for creating a secondary content reproduction
control file corresponding to an editing result, and the like. The
communication tool 102 executes processing for operating a blog or the
SNS by accessing the communication server 3.

[0111]The communication control portion 111 is a portion configured to
include a program required to execute a communication with the primary
content server 1 or the secondary communication server 3 through a
network mainly in association with managing and editing of contents.

[0112]The primary content acquisition processing portion 112 is a portion
configured to include a program required to download and acquire primary
contents. User interface for downloading the primary contents is provided
by the primary content acquisition processing portion 112. In addition, a
control of issuing a command as a download request and transmitting the
command through the communication control portion 111 or processing for
receiving a packet of data of the primary contents received through the
communication control portion 111 and restoring the packet in a data
format as the primary contents is also executed by the primary content
acquisition processing portion 112.

[0113]The primary content storage and management processing portion 113 is
a portion that executes processing for storing a primary content file,
which has been acquired by the primary content acquisition processing
portion 112, in the HDD 48, and processing for managing the stored
primary content file. For example, music management, such assorting
according to an artist name, an album unit, a genre, and the like, is
realized by the primary content storage and management processing portion
113.

[0114]The secondary content acquisition processing portion 114 is a
portion configured to include a program required to download and acquire
secondary contents. The secondary content storage and management
processing portion 115 is a portion that executes processing for storing
a secondary content reproduction control file, which has been acquired by
the secondary content acquisition processing portion 114, in the HDD 48,
and processing for managing the stored secondary content reproduction
control file.

[0116]The secondary content generation processing portion 117 is a portion
that executes editing using editing material contents shown in FIG. 3,
that is, processing related with creation of music contents as secondary
contents. For example, a user interface for an editing operation and the
like is realized by the secondary content generation processing portion
117. The secondary content reproduction control file creation and
analysis processing portion 118 first executes processing for generating
a secondary content reproduction control file in which music contents as
the secondary contents created by the secondary content generation
processing portion 117 are reflected. In the case of reproducing the
secondary contents, a sequence of regeneration processing using editing
material contents is determined by executing analysis processing on the
secondary content reproduction control file shown in FIG. 4.

[0117]In the present embodiment, a primary content file is encoded and is
then transmitted from the primary content server 1. In addition, the
secondary content reproduction control file may also be encoded to be
transmitted when the secondary content reproduction control file is
transmitted from the secondary content server 2 to the user terminal
apparatus 4 in response to download. Also, when the secondary content
reproduction control file is uploaded from the user terminal apparatus 4
to the secondary content server 2, the secondary content reproduction
control file may be encoded and then transmitted. The encoding and
decoding processing portion 119 executes processing for decoding the
encryption when an operation for reproduction, editing, and the like of
the encoded primary content file and the encoded secondary content
reproduction control file is required. In addition, the encoding and
decoding processing portion 119 executes encryption when a secondary
content reproduction control file needs to be encoded and transmitted.

[0118]The sound reproduction signal processing portion 120 is a portion
for executing signal processing, which is required to be performed in a
digital phase, among signal processing processes for reproducing digital
audio data as sound. For example, if compression encoding for the primary
content file is already done when reproducing a primary content file, the
sound reproduction signal processing portion 120 performs decoding
processing corresponding to the compression encoding, for example, such
that a digital audio signal based on a predetermined PCM format is
acquired. In addition, in the case of reproducing the secondary contents,
the sound reproduction signal processing portion 120 executes
reproduction processing as a sequencer which reproduces a data portion of
the primary content file as editing material contents according to
sequences of reproduction processing determined by the secondary content
reproduction control file creation and analysis processing portion 118.

[0119]Here, a result obtained by analyzing reproduction control
information by means of the secondary content reproduction control file
creation and analysis processing portion 118 in reproducing the secondary
contents may be reflected on an editing work screen, which is a GUI
provided by the secondary content generation processing portion 117. That
is, details of a reproduction instruction indicated by the reproduction
control information are displayed on the editing work screen so as to be
recognizable by a user. The user can check how the secondary contents
have been created by viewing the screen. This means that it can be
obtained as accurate information how the secondary contents have been
created by the creator. For example, in the case of contents based on a
digital audio signal, in order for a normal user to know how the contents
were created, there is no choice but to guess it from acoustic contents
after actually reproducing and listening to the contents. In this manner,
in the present embodiment, it is possible to see how the secondary
contents have been created in more details and more specifically. In
addition, by causing such secondary contents to be shared among users, it
is expected that knowledge and technique regarding user's musical work
using the user using music editing and sharing system according to the
present embodiment will be noticeably improved. Thus, the system
according to the present embodiment provides very high entertainment and
has a very high value of use for a user interested in a musical work.

[0120]Next, an example of the structure of a secondary content
reproduction control file will be described with reference to FIG. 12. As
shown in the drawing, the secondary content reproduction control file
includes information portions of at least used primary content
information, used editing material content information, reproduction
control information, current content use permission range information,
and current content generation information. The secondary content
reproduction control file is formed by storing those information portions
in a predetermined structure therein. Among the information portions, the
reproduction control information is main information (body information)
as a secondary content reproduction control file, and the other
information (used primary content information, used editing material
content information, current content use permission range information,
current content generation information, and opening instruction
information) are metadata (additional information).

[0121]The used primary content information is information indicating which
are the primary contents (this is used primary contents) required for
reproducing music contents as secondary contents to which a current
secondary content reproduction control file corresponds. In other words,
the used primary content information is information indicating which are
the primary contents used as a result in order to create the current
secondary contents. Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5C, information indicating
primary contents shown as forming secondary contents newly created by
editing processing is the used primary content information. That is, as
the used primary content information, primary contents A and B are shown
in the case shown in FIG. 5A, primary contents A, C, and D are shown in
the case shown in FIG. 5B, and primary contents C, D, E, and F are shown
in the case shown in FIG. 5C.

[0122]In addition, there is a possibility that predetermined primary
contents included in editing material contents will be deleted from music
contents as the secondary contents created by editing the editing
material contents. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 5B, it may be
possible to consider a possibility of music contents in which, for
example, the primary contents A and C are used as sound sources but an
element of a primary content D is not used as new secondary contents
obtained by performing editing using the editing material contents A and
B. In this case, only the primary contents A and C are required as audio
data of primary contents required for reproduction of the secondary
contents, but the primary content D is not required. It is arbitrary
which kind of contents are to be contents of used primary content
information corresponding to such a case. As one example, only the
primary contents A and C are shown but the primary contents D are not
presented on the basis of an idea that only primary contents, which are
actually required for reproduction of secondary contents, are reflected.
As another example, all primary contents of the primary contents A, C,
and D may be shown. That is, in this case, although the primary contents
D are not actually used, an effect of the primary contents D as music
contents is large. This case is based on an idea that the primary
contents D are used latently. In this case, as a result, all primary
contents, which have been used once or more up to generations in which
current secondary contents are created, are included in used primary
content information. In addition, the used primary content information
also includes metadata of predetermined contents regarding every primary
content shown here.

[0123]In addition, the used editing material content information is
information indicating which editing material contents (used editing
material contents) have been directly used to create secondary contents
to which the current secondary content reproduction control file
corresponds. Referring to examples shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, information
indicating an actual primary content file as editing material contents A
and B is shown in the used editing material content information on the
secondary contents after the editing processing shown in FIG. 5A. In
addition, a primary content file configured to include the editing
material contents A and information indicating secondary contents
(secondary content reproduction control file) configured to include the
editing material contents C are stored in the used editing material
content information after editing processing shown in FIG. 5B. In
addition, the used editing material content information also includes
additional information of predetermined contents regarding every editing
material contents shown here.

[0124]Reproduction control information is an information portion in which
processing sequences for reproducing music contents as current secondary
contents are described in a predetermined language. For example, elements
of description contents that form there production control information
include description indicating primary contents as actual audio data used
for reproduction, description indicating a data portion of audio data as
the primary contents which is actually used for reproduction of the
secondary contents, and description indicating a period of time for which
the data portion is reproduced. In addition, description for reflection
of so-called effects and special effect starting from fade-in, fade-out,
overlap, equalizing (tone adjustment), reproduction speed magnification,
revival, delay, and the like is also performed.

[0125]The current content use permission range information is information
on a use permission range set in the current secondary contents (current
contents). It is preferable that this structure is based on use
permission range information in a structure example of use contents to be
described later with reference to FIG. 13.

[0126]The current content generation information is information indicating
to which generation the current secondary contents correspond as contents
created by the music editing and sharing system according to the present
embodiment. In addition, setting of generation of contents in the system
in the present embodiment will be described later.

[0127]The opening instruction information is information indicating
details of a condition (opening condition) on which kind of mode is used
in opening when opening the current secondary contents by uploading the
current secondary contents to the secondary content server 2. The
structure example of the opening instruction information will be
described later.

[0128]FIG. 13 illustrates examples of structures of the used primary
content information and the used editing material content information. As
shown in the drawing, the used primary content information and used
editing material content information are largely obtained by connection
of unit file information. Each of the unit file information corresponds
to one used primary content and one used editing material content. In
addition, in the case where the used primary contents and the used
editing material contents are not particularly distinguished in
description with reference to FIG. 13, the used primary contents and the
used editing material contents are assumed to be "use contents" for the
convenience of explanation.

[0129]In unit file information, for example, a file ID, an artist name, a
song title, and various information items of use permission range
information are set. As the file ID is an identifier (ID) assigned so as
to be unique to a content file of corresponding use contents. That is, a
file ID as a primary content file which is use contents or a file ID as a
secondary content reproduction control file which is use contents is
stored. In addition, these file IDs are given by the primary content
server 1 in the case of used primary contents and are given by the
secondary content server 2 in the case of a secondary content
reproduction control file. The information item of an artist name
indicates a name of a player or a creator who has performed or created
the corresponding use contents. The information item of a song title
indicates a song title of corresponding use contents.

[0130]In the information item of generation, generation information is
stored. The generation information is information indicating to which
generation the contents corresponds. In the music editing and sharing
system according to the present embodiment, the primary contents are
primarily defined as a first generation, as will be described later, and
the secondary contents are defined as an N generation on the basis of a
predetermined rule according to the generation of editing material
contents. Therefore, in the case where the use content information shown
in FIG. 12 is the used primary content information, information
indicating a first generation is stored in the item of the generation
information. In addition, in the case where the use content information
shown in FIG. 12 is the editing material content information, information
indicating a generation, which is actually set corresponding to every use
contents (primary contents or the secondary contents) to which unit file
information corresponds, is stored.

[0131]The information (use permission range information) on a use
permission range is formed by a group of one or more use items 1 to n.
Predetermined use contents relevant to editing (secondary use) of
corresponding use contents are assigned so as to correspond to the use
items 1 to n. Various examples may be considered as examples of use
contents assigned to use items. For example, contents on whether or not
current contents can be secondarily used, contents regarding using
contents of an artist different from the current contents for other
contents used as editing materials, contents regarding using contents
belonging to an album different from an album, to which the current
contents belong, for other contents used as editing materials, contents
regarding use of a specific effect or a special effect, contents
regarding use of a specific plug-in module, contents regarding extracting
a portion from the entire song and using the portion as an editing
material, contents of permission regarding an audio data portion
extracted in the case where a portion is extracted from the entire song
and the portion is used as an editing material, the number of generations
available (for example, in the case when a generation up to a grandchild
generation is permitted to use primary contents, secondary contents of a
child using the primary contents and secondary contents of a grandchild
using the secondary contents can be created, but it is not possible to
edit a portion using corresponding use contents in the secondary contents
of the grandchild, contents regarding the number and types of contents
that can be secondarily used in combination with the current contents,
and the like may be mentioned. In addition, information indicating
contents regarding use permission set for every use item, for example,
starting from permission/no permission is described in each of the use
items. The use permission range information indicates a use permission
range of corresponding use contents by summarizing set contents of
permission described in each of the use items.

[0132]FIG. 14 illustrates an example of contents of reproduction control
information in a secondary content reproduction control file. In this
drawing, a description portion put in [ ] indicates predetermined one
reproduction control content about one use content. An example of the
reproduction control contents in the unit of use contents shown in FIG.
14 will now be described.

[0133]First, [file_id=AAAAAA; time=00:00-00:10; position=vv-zz] is
described as the reproduction control contents in the unit of use
contents, which is shown in a head in the drawing. This indicates that
use contents are designated by a file ID=AAAAAA, a reproduction time of
current secondary contents using the use contents is 00:00 (start point
of time) to 00:10 (reproduction time 10 seconds), and a data section of
the use contents used for the reproduction time is a range corresponding
to addresses vv to zz. Subsequent to the above, [file_id=AAAAAA;
time=00:00-00:15; position=ss-tt] is described as reproduction control
contents in the unit of use contents. This indicates that use contents
are designated by a file ID=AAAAAA, a reproduction time of current
secondary contents using the use contents is 00:10 to 00:15, and a data
section of the use contents used for the reproduction time is a range
corresponding to addresses ss to tt. Subsequent to the above,
[file_id=BBBBBB; time=00:15-00:20; position=pp-uu] is described as
reproduction control contents in the unit of use contents. This indicates
that use contents are designated by a file ID=BBBBBB, a reproduction time
of current secondary contents using the use contents is 00:15-00:20, and
a data section of the use contents used for the reproduction time is a
range corresponding to addresses pp to uu. For example, the sound
reproduction signal processing portion 120 of the music editing and
sharing application 100 in the present embodiment reproduces and outputs
secondary contents as a sound signal by sequentially analyzing
reproduction control contents in the unit of use contents put in [ ] as
described above and actually executing a reproduction control according
to a result of the analysis.

[0134]In addition, the structure of a primary content file will be
described. As already described above, the primary content file has a
file structure configured to include audio data, which is based on a
predetermined format and has music contents as primary contents, and
various kinds of metadata related to the audio data, which is shown in
FIG. 15. In addition, predetermined sound compression encoding may be
performed in the case of audio data. In this case, the storage capacity
of the primary content server 1 for storing primary contents may be saved
by performing the sound compression encoding to thereby reduce the data
size, which is also advantageous in transmission on a network. In
addition, types of metadata forming the metadata group described above
includes use permission range information and current content generation
information in addition to information generally added to audio data,
such as a song title, an artist, and title, genre, data format, data
size, and the like of a corresponding album.

[0135]The use permission range information is set to have the same meaning
as the unit file information shown in FIG. 13, for example. That is,
although the primary contents are permitted to be secondarily used in the
present embodiment, permission of the use is obtained by approval of a
copyright holder (for example, an artist) of the primary contents. In
addition, contents, a range, and the like of the use that a copyright
holder can permit change naturally according to a copyright holder's view
over a song. Therefore, in the present embodiment, information in which a
use permission range is set is included as metadata in order to respect
such copyright holder's view, such that a copyright holder's intention is
reflected. Here, it may be considered to uniformly set use permission
ranges of all primary contents as an application method. However, in
order to operate the music editing and sharing system more smoothly, it
is effective to make the copyright holder's intention reflected by
allowing different use permission ranges to be set for every primary
contents in the same manner as in the present embodiment. In addition,
contents of use items that form information on a use permission range in
metadata of a primary content file do not need to be equal to the
secondary content reproduction control file shown in FIG. 13, but it is
preferable that contents of use items needed as primary contents be set.

[0136]In addition, the current content generation information, which is
metadata in the same primary content file, is information indicating to
which generation the contents created by the music editing and sharing
system according to the present embodiment correspond. As already
described above, since the primary contents are defined as a first
generation, information indicating the first generation is stored in the
current content generation information within the primary content file.
However, since the primary contents are uniformly defined as the first
generation, a structure in which the current content generation
information is deleted from the primary content file may also be
considered. However, for example, when secondary contents have been newly
created, it is preferable to make the current content generation
information included even in the primary content file in the case of an
algorithm in which current content generation information included as
metadata in editing material contents is used when checking a generation
corresponding to the secondary contents. In this way, it becomes possible
to check the generation of the new secondary contents with the same
algorithm only by referring to the current content generation information
regardless of primary contents and secondary contents.

[0137]Next, an example of procedures regarding main processing of editing
of secondary contents will be described with reference to a flow chart
shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. In addition, the processing shown in FIGS. 16
and 17 is realized by executing a program as the content managing and
editing tool 101 in the music editing and sharing application 100.

[0138]Here, for example, a user of the user terminal apparatus 4 is
assumed to edit secondary contents by running the content managing and
editing tool 101 of the music editing and sharing application 100. In
addition, the user performs an operation of searching contents used as
materials for creation of the secondary contents and of registering
(determining) the contents as editing material contents. As a result,
processing shown in FIG. 16 is executed by the secondary content
generation processing portion 117 in the content managing and editing
tool 101. Referring to FIG. 16, first, in step S101, loading of data of
contents registered as editing material contents is executed. For clear
understanding of explanation, data of a file as primary contents is
loaded when the registered editing material contents are primary
contents, and data of a secondary content reproduction control file
corresponding to secondary contents is loaded when the registered editing
material contents are the secondary contents.

[0139]In step S102, it is further performed to read information on a use
permission range from the data loaded in step S101. Thus, contents about
various kinds of use permission set for contents registered as editing
material contents this time are recognized on the basis of contents of
the use items 1 to n in use permission range information. Then, in step
S103, setting is made such that the contents of use permission recognized
in step S102 are reflected in a user interface (UI) for editing of the
secondary contents. By this processing, it becomes difficult to perform
an operation of editing contents which is not permitted by a use
permission range set as editing material contents beforehand.
Accordingly, an operation of the secondary content generation processing
portion 117 is obtained.

[0140]FIG. 17 illustrates an example of procedures concerning creation of
a secondary content reproduction control file that is actual data as
secondary contents. The processing shown in the drawing is also realized
by causing the CPU 41 to execute a program as the content managing and
editing tool 101. Here, first, in step S201, appropriate editing
processing is executed in response to an operation input for editing. For
example, the secondary content generation processing portion 117 provides
a GUI, which allows a user to perform an editing operation for creating
secondary contents, through the program. The user performs an editing
operation for creation of secondary contents by using the GUI (graphical
user interface), and processing according to the operation is executed in
step S201. Then, if it is determined that an operation for storing a
result of editing performed up to now has been executed in step S202
while the editing processing is being performed as described above, the
process proceeds to step S203. In step S203, a secondary content
reproduction control file corresponding to music contents as secondary
contents obtained as a result of editing performed up to now is
generated. Then, in step S204, a control is executed such that the
secondary content reproduction control file is stored in an appropriate
directory in the HDD 48. If a procedure of step S204 ends, the process
returns to step S201. In addition, although not shown here, escape from
the processing shown in the drawing is performed according to an
operation performed to close a GUI screen for creation of the secondary
contents, for example, thereby proceeding to another required processing.
In addition, contents of current content use permission range information
are created when creating the secondary content reproduction control
file. Regarding how to set the contents of the content use permission
range information, it is considered to automatically set the contents
(contents for each use item) on the basis of a predetermined rule and in
a range not exceeding a minimum decided by summarizing use permission
range information of primary contents that are original editing
materials. In addition, it may also be considered to set the contents
according to a designation operation regarding contents of the current
content use permission range information supposed that the user has
performed such that the intention of the user is reflected. However, even
in the case when setting is thus made according to a user's operation,
the setting is performed in a range not exceeding the minimum decided by
summarizing the use permission range information of the primary contents
that are original editing materials, and setting in a use permission
range (contents for each use item) exceeding the range is not performed.

[0141]Subsequently, an example of processing procedures regarding upload
of secondary contents using the user terminal apparatus 4 and an example
of processing procedures of the secondary content server 2 corresponding
to the upload will be described with reference to a flow chart shown in
FIG. 18. Processing at a side of the user terminal apparatus 4 in this
drawing is realized by a program mainly as the secondary content storage
and management processing portion 115 and the secondary content
transmission processing portion 116. Although processing of the secondary
content server 2 is executed in collaboration with the respective units
shown in FIG. 7, in actuality, it can be seen that the processing of the
secondary content server 2 is realized when a computer system (CPU) that
forms the secondary content server 2 executes a program, for example.

[0142]The user terminal apparatus 4 waits until a command instructing
upload of a secondary content reproduction control file is obtained in
step S301. Here, for example, as an operation related to the GUI provided
by the content managing and editing tool 101, the user selects one or
more secondary contents that the user wants to upload from secondary
contents (that is, the secondary content reproduction control file),
which are stored as an application file of the music editing and sharing
application 100 in the HDD 48 and which are created by the music editing
and sharing application 100, and performs an operation for upload
execution. According to the above operation, a command instructing upload
of the secondary content reproduction control file corresponding to the
secondary contents selected on the GUI is generated, and the process
proceeds to step S302.

[0143]In step S302, the secondary contents upload of which is designated,
that is, the secondary content reproduction control file is read from a
predetermined directory. Then, in step S303, a control of transmitting
and outputting the secondary content reproduction control file, which has
been read, to the secondary content server 2 through a network together
with an upload request is executed.

[0144]The secondary content server 2 waits until the upload request is
received in step S401. When the upload request is received, procedures
starting from step S402 are executed. In addition, in order to actually
proceed to step S402 after receiving the upload request, it is confirmed,
for example, through authentication processing whether or not the upload
request is a request from a regular user. However, such a processing
procedure is herein omitted. In step S402, a storage location (URL) of
the secondary content reproduction control file received together with
the upload request is set. In step S403, communications processing for
notifying the user terminal apparatus 4, which is a transmission source
of the current upload request, of the storage location of the uploaded
secondary contents (secondary content reproduction control file) is
executed.

[0145]The user terminal apparatus 4 which has performed the upload request
in step S303 waits until information on the storage location is received
in step S304. Then, when the information on the storage location is
received, the received information on the storage location (URL) is
stored in an appropriate directory in step S305. Accordingly, the
information on the storage location of the secondary contents can be
recalled later by performing a predetermined operation on the content
managing and editing tool 101. If a storage location is a URL, for
example, a character string as a URL is displayed depending on a call
operation.

[0146]A flow chart shown in FIG. 19 illustrates an example of processing
procedures regarding download of secondary contents using the user
terminal apparatus 4 and an example of processing procedures of the
secondary content server 2 corresponding to the download. Processing at a
side of the user terminal apparatus 4 in this drawing is also realized by
a program mainly as the secondary content storage and management
processing portion 115 and the secondary content transmission processing
portion 116. First, the user terminal apparatus 4 waits until a command
instructing download of a secondary content reproduction control file is
obtained in step S501. Here, for example, as an operation related to the
GUI provided by the content managing and editing tool 101, the user
selects one or more secondary contents that the user wants to download in
a state in which the user accesses the secondary content server 2 and
views a list of secondary contents stored and managed in the secondary
content server 2 and then performs an operation for download execution.
As a result, a positive determination result is obtained in step S501,
and then the process proceeds to step S502.

[0147]In step S502, a download request is transmitted to the secondary
content server 2 in response to a download instruction that has been
obtained. In addition, for example, information designating a directory
(storage location) of secondary contents selected at the time of an
operation of download execution instruction is also included as the
download request. In addition, it may also be considered to adopt a
structure of performing a download request by designating a file ID of a
secondary content reproduction control file, which is the substantial
body of the secondary contents, instead of the storage location.

[0148]The secondary content server 2 waits until the download request is
received in step S601. When the download request is received, a procedure
in step S602 is executed. In addition, even if a download request is
received and the process actually proceeds to step S402, authentication
processing and the like are execute. However, such processing procedures
are also omitted herein. In step S602, secondary contents (secondary
content reproduction control file) are searched by accessing the
secondary content database 22a of the storage unit 22 and the searched
secondary content reproduction control file is transmitted to the user
terminal apparatus 4 of the requesting source.

[0149]The user terminal apparatus 4 which has transmitted the download
request in step 502 waits until the secondary content reproduction
control file corresponding to the download request is received in step
S503. In addition, when it is determined that the secondary content
reproduction control file has been received, the received secondary
content reproduction control file is stored in an appropriate directory
so as to be managed in step S504.

[0150]In addition, the processing shown in the drawing corresponds to a
case where download of secondary contents based on direct designation of
a URL, which is not performed through the site opened to the public 2a
and is shown as the procedure 9 in FIG. 2. Moreover, even in the case
where a download request is performed by accessing the site opened to the
public 2a and selecting predetermined secondary contents, the download
request for secondary contents may be regularly performed by applying
processing based on that shown in FIG. 19.

[0151]A flow chart shown in FIG. 20 illustrates an example of procedures
required when the user terminal apparatus 4 reproduces secondary contents
acquired (stored in the HDD 48) by download. Processing at a side of the
user terminal apparatus 4 in this drawing is realized by a program mainly
as the secondary content storage and management processing portion 115,
the encoding and decoding processing portion 119, and a sound
reproduction signal processing portion.

[0152]First, in step S701, the user terminal apparatus 4 waits until an
instruction of reproduction start of secondary contents stored in the HDD
48 after the download is obtained. Here, if an instruction to select one
secondary content from the secondary contents stored in the HDD 48 and to
start reproduction of the secondary contents is performed, for example,
as an operation on the GUI realized by the secondary content storage and
management processing portion 115, the process proceeds from step S701 to
step S702.

[0153]In step S702, a secondary content reproduction control file
corresponding to the designated secondary contents is read from the HDD
48. Here, the secondary content data acquired by download is stored in
the HDD 48 in a condition that encryption at the time of transmission is
still applied. Therefore, in step S703, processing for decoding the
encryption of the read secondary content data is executed.

[0154]In step S704, a determination on whether or not the decoding
processing in step S703 has been successful is made. For example, if the
secondary content data designated to be reproduced in step S701 has been
regularly downloaded from the content server 2, the decoding processing
in step S703 becomes successful, and as a result, proper secondary
content data is restored. On the other hand, for example, in the case of
secondary content data acquired by means other than the download from the
secondary content server 2, encryption based on other methods or
algorithms are performed or encryption is not performed. In this case, it
is difficult to restore normal secondary content data with the decoding
processing in step S703 or it is not necessary to execute decoding
processing. That is, a result of the decoding processing in step S703 may
be considered as failure including a case in which the decoding
processing is not required.

[0155]In the case where a positive determination result indicating that
the decoding processing is successful in step S704 is obtained, the
process proceeds to step S705 in which reproduction control processing
for the secondary contents is started. In contrast, in the case where a
negative determination result indicating that the decoding processing has
failed in step S705 is obtained, the process proceeds to step S706 in
which processing corresponding to the error is executed. As the
processing corresponding to an error, first, reproduction control
processing on the secondary contents whose reproduction is designated is
not started and, for example, control processing for notifying on the GUI
that the secondary contents whose reproduction is designated cannot be
reproduced because the secondary contents are not legal. In the present
embodiment, for example, by executing such processing, only secondary
content information that is legally downloaded and acquired from the
secondary content server 2 among secondary content information acquired
from the outside is reproduced in the user terminal apparatus 4, such
that the copyright of primary contents or the secondary contents is
thoroughly protected. In addition, other structures for allowing only
secondary contents, which have been legally downloaded from the secondary
content server 2, to be reproduced and output may be considered. For
example, it may be possible to adopt a configuration in which decoding is
performed beforehand in a phase, in which the user terminal apparatus 6
has received and acquire secondary contents by download, the secondary
contents are stored in the HDD 48 in a condition where information on the
decoding result is added thereto, and a determination on whether to
reproduce the secondary contents or not is made referring to the added
information on the decoding result. In addition, at the time of
transmission from the secondary content server 2, a special code
indicating that transmission has been made for download may be written in
the secondary contents as processing of the secondary content server 2
such that the user terminal apparatus 4 can determine whether to
reproduce the secondary contents or not at the time of reproduction by
checking the existence or details of the code.

[0156]As described so far, the music editing and sharing system according
to the present embodiment is configured to include realize the basic use
mode described with reference to FIG. 2, for example. In such a mode,
secondary contents created by a user may be shared among other users by
opening the secondary contents through the secondary content server 2.

[0157]Here, some network services through which contents, such as a still
image including a photograph or a video, are opened to the public on a
network are known. However, in the case of such services, opening of
contents is uniformly unrestricted, and setting change of an opening
range in a predetermined number of steps is possible like the SNS or the
like. However, since setting of the opening range is common to all
contents within a user page, for example, a degree of freedom in setting
of an opening mode is not high. Therefore, in the present embodiment,
through the configuration to be described below, a high degree of freedom
is obtained by further reflecting the intention of a user in setting of
an opening mode of secondary contents performed in the secondary content
server 2.

[0158]In the present embodiment, as a technical configuration for those
described above, a configuration in which a functional portion as the
managing unit 28 for sites opened to the public is provided in the
secondary content server 2 and the database 22b for sites opened to the
public is stored in the storage unit 22 such that contents management
becomes possible by distinguishing between opening to the public and
opening to specific persons as an opening mode of secondary contents is
first adopted as shown in FIG. 7. In addition, such secondary content
server 2 provides, as information used to manage an opening mode, opening
instruction information as one of metadata in a secondary content
reproduction control file that is the substantial body of the secondary
contents, as described in FIG. 12.

[0159]FIG. 21A illustrates an example of the structure of the opening
instruction information. Here, as shown in the drawing, the opening
instruction information is configured to include information items of an
initial opening range, an opening range change type, an opening threshold
value access number, a maximum permitted access number, and the number of
times of user-unit access permission.

[0160]The initial opening range is information indicating which opening
range (may also be referred to as an opening mode) is to be set when
first opening the current secondary content server 2 to the public by
uploading the current secondary contents to the secondary content server
2. In addition, as information contents of the initial opening range, two
contents of "opening to the public" and "opening to specific persons" are
defined as shown as item numbers 1 and 2 in FIG. 21B. Data indicating
anyone of the "opening to the public" and the "opening to specific
persons" is stored in information items of the initial opening range. In
addition, for clear understanding of explanation, the "opening to the
public" indicates opening to the public through the site opened to the
public 2a, and the "opening to specific persons" indicates opening in
which download is possible only by direct access without performing
opening to the public through the open site 2a.

[0161]An information item of the opening range change type indicates that
a change (opening range change type) of an opening range of which kind of
contents has been selected in a case that the initial opening range is
"2. Opening to specific persons". As contents of the opening range change
type, three contents of "range expansion", "access restriction", and
"holding of opening to specific persons" are defined as shown as item
numbers 1, 2, and 3 in FIG. 21C. That is, in the present embodiment, in
the case where an initial opening range is the "opening to specific
persons", any one of three corresponding to the "range expansion", the
"access restriction", and the "holding of opening to specific persons" is
selected in a subsequent opening mode. The "range expansion" means that
opening to specific persons is set initially and then a change to opening
to the public is made on a condition that the number of access to current
secondary contents reaches a threshold value set beforehand. That is, an
opening range expands later from initial opening to specific persons to
opening to the public according to the access number. On the contrary,
the "access restriction" means restricting access, which is performed for
secondary contents, according to the access number from a state of
initial opening to specific persons. The access number for the access
restriction will be described later as defined contents of information
items including the maximum permitted access number and the number of
times of user-unit access permission. The "range expansion" and the
"access restriction" is used to change an opening range (mode) after an
initial stage according to the number of access to current secondary
contents. On the other hand, the "holding of opening to specific persons"
means that opening to specific persons in the early opening stage is
continued (held) regardless of the access number after the start of
opening.

[0162]In addition, the opening threshold value access number in the
opening instruction information shown in FIG. 21A is a data value that
becomes effective when data indicating the "range expansion" is stored in
an information item of the opening range change type. That is, as
described above, the opening threshold value access number indicates the
access number becoming a threshold value when a change from a state of
opening to specific persons in an early opening stage to the opening to
the public is made. In addition, one-time "access" of which the number of
times is counted as the opening threshold value access number indicates
an operation until access as a download request from the user terminal
apparatus 4 is performed and data of secondary contents is properly
transmitted to a requesting source in response to the request. Therefore,
even if a download request occurs, this is not counted as an access
number when the download request is refused for a certain reason. The
same is true for the maximum permitted access number, the number of times
of user-unit access permission, and the like which will be described
later.

[0163]In addition, the maximum permitted access number in the opening
instruction information is a data value that becomes effective when data
indicating the "access restriction" is stored as the opening range change
type information. In addition, in one actual restriction mode as the
"access restriction", when the number of access to present secondary
contents exceeded a threshold value set beforehand, subsequent access to
the secondary contents is not permitted. The maximum permitted access
number is data indicating a threshold value of the access number in such
access restriction. That is, when the number of access to current
secondary contents exceeds a value indicated by the maximum permitted
access number, subsequent access to the current secondary contents is not
permitted. In addition, as for the maximum permitted access number, a
concept in which second and subsequent access is not counted or a concept
in which second and subsequent access is counted may be adopted in
connection with access from the same user. It is preferable to determine
one of the concepts depending on an actual condition, such as management
of a music editing and sharing application.

[0164]Furthermore, as described above, in a mode of the "access
restriction", only access up to the maximum permitted access number is
permitted and access up to the number of times indicated by a threshold
value set beforehand can be permitted for a user who has accessed. The
number of times of user-unit access permission in opening instruction
information is data indicating a threshold value of the number of times
of access permitted for the user who has accessed. In addition, the
number of times of user-unit access permission may be an option in the
case where the "access restriction" is set. In the case when the number
of times of user-unit access permission is defined as an option as
described above, an effective value does not necessarily need to be set
for the number of times of user-unit access permission. In addition, even
in the case of access based on the number of times of user-unit access
permission, some more specific operation methods may be considered in
combination with the maximum permitted access number. As a management
example, it may be considered a management method where in the case when
the maximum permitted access number is set on the basis of the concept in
which second and subsequent access of the same user is also counted,
subsequent access is not permitted if the total number of access reaches
the maximum permitted access number even if there is still a margin in
the number of times of access permission of the user, but in the case
when the maximum permitted access number is set on the basis of the
concept in which second and subsequent access of the same user is not
counted, access of a user who has accessed once is permitted up to the
number of times of user-unit access permission even if the total number
of access reaches the maximum permitted access number.

[0165]Moreover, contents of the opening instruction information are input
by causing a user (user A in FIG. 2), who is a creator, to perform an
input operation on an UI (user interface: for example, a GUI screen on
which designated contents in an opening mode are input by an operation)
for designating an opening condition, which is provided by the music
editing and sharing application 100, for every information item shown in
FIG. 21A, for example, when creating secondary contents in the procedure
2 shown in FIG. 2. As a result, contents designated by the input
operation are reflected on the opening instruction information in the
secondary content reproduction control file which is the substantial body
of created secondary contents. That is, the opening instruction
information includes contents of an opening mode (opening range) in which
the intention of a user who is a creator of corresponding secondary
contents is reflected.

[0166]Here, a flow as input operation procedures in the case when a user
of the user terminal apparatus 4 designates information items of opening
instruction information by an operation on the music editing and sharing
application 100 is shown through a flow chart of FIG. 22. In addition, an
example of contents as opening instruction information acquired
corresponding a result of an input operation is also shown in the
drawing. Furthermore, this drawing originally shows work procedures as a
user's operation for designating only contents of an information item of
opening instruction information. However, a program of the music editing
and sharing application 100 may be designed by causing a user interface,
which is used to perform input for designating an information item of
opening instruction information, to execute processing according to the
flow shown in the drawing.

[0167]First, as can be understood from the explanation referring to FIGS.
21A to 21C, it becomes a first branch whether an initial setting range is
to be the "opening to the public" or the "opening to specific persons" in
connection with setting contents regarding an opening mode (opening
range). Therefore, even in the operation procedures shown in FIG. 22,
either the "opening to the public" or the "opening to specific persons"
is first selected in step S801.

[0168]In the case when the "opening to the public" is selected as an
initial opening range in step S801, data indicating the "opening to the
public" is stored in an information item of an initial opening range, as
shown as opening instruction information contents F1 in the drawing. In
addition, in the case when the initial opening range is set to the
"opening to the public", it is not necessary to use a remaining opening
range change type, an opening threshold value access number, the maximum
permitted access number, and the number of times of user-unit access
permission, as can be understood from the above description. Accordingly,
for example, data as a predetermined invalid value is stored in the
information items.

[0169]On the other hand, in the case where the "opening to specific
persons" is selected as an initial opening range in step S801, the
process proceeds to step S802. As described above in FIGS. 21A to 21C, in
the case when the "opening to specific persons" is set as an initial
opening range, branch setting regarding the opening mode after the
initial stage is performed as an opening range change type. Therefore, in
step S802, an opening range selection type is selected.

[0170]As an opening range selection type, there are three types of the
"range expansion", the "access restriction", and the "opening to specific
persons", as described in FIG. 21C. In the case when the "range
expansion" is selected in step S802, the process proceeds to step S803.
In the case when the "range expansion" is selected, as described in FIG.
21, an opening threshold value access number that is a threshold value
related to an access number for making a change from opening to specific
persons to opening to the public is set. Then, in step S803, an opening
threshold value access number "a" is input. The opening threshold value
access number "a" is, for example, a number that a user can arbitrarily
select within a number range as a natural number that can be input.

[0171]In addition, as a result of having performed the input operation up
to step S803, an information item of an initial opening range indicates
the "opening to specific persons", an information item of an opening
range change type indicates the "range expansion", and an information
item of an opening threshold value access number indicates the value "a"
input in step S803, as shown as opening instruction information contents
F2. In addition, the maximum permitted access number and the number of
times of user-unit access permission are not related to this case,
invalid values are stored in information items corresponding to the
maximum permitted access number and the number of times of user-unit
access permission.

[0172]In addition, in the case when the "access restriction" is set as an
opening range change type, the maximum permitted access number is set as
described above in FIG. 21C. Thus, in the case when the "access
restriction" is selected in step S802, the maximum permitted access
number "b" is set in step S804. Then, a user inputs the number "c" of
times of user-unit access permission in step S805. In addition, in the
case where setting of the number of times of user-unit access permission
is optional, step S805 is skipped of the user does not desire to set the
number of times of user-unit access permission. Then, as a result of
having performed the input operation up to step S805, an information item
of an initial opening range indicates the "opening to specific persons"
and an information item of an opening range change type indicates the
"access restriction", as shown as opening instruction information
contents F3. In addition, an information item of an opening threshold
value access number does not need to be used in this case, and
accordingly, a special input operation is not performed either.
Therefore, an invalid value is shown. On the other hand, a value "b"
input in step S804 is shown as an information item of the maximum
permitted access number and a value "c" input in step S805 is shown as an
information item of the number of times of user-unit access permission.
Furthermore, in the case where setting of the number of times of
user-unit access permission is optional, an invalid value is stored in an
information item of the number of times of user-unit access permission in
the opening instruction information F3 if an input operation is finished
without setting an effective value of the number of times of user-unit
access permission.

[0173]Next, in the case when the holding of "opening to specific persons"
is selected as an opening change type in step S802, opening instruction
information contents F4 are acquired as a result of the input operation
up to now. That is, an information item of an initial opening range is
made to indicate the "opening to specific persons" and an information
item of an opening range change type is made to indicate the "holding of
opening to specific persons". In this case, since an opening threshold
value access number, the maximum permitted access number, and the number
of times of user-unit access permission are not related, invalid values
are stored in information items corresponding to the opening threshold
value access number, the maximum permitted access number, and the number
of times of user-unit access permission.

[0174]As described earlier, as the music editing and sharing application
100 (secondary content generation processing portion 117), a GUI for a
user's input operation of instructing an opening mode and a program for
creating opening instruction information corresponding to an input
operation result may be configured corresponding to the flow shown in
FIG. 22. That is, for example, when an instruction of calling an opening
mode setting screen is first obtained, the music editing and sharing
application 100 (secondary content generation processing portion 117)
display an operation screen for selecting an initial opening range in
step S801. Then, in the case when the "opening to the public" is selected
and determined, for example, the opening instruction information contents
F1 are created to be stored as opening instruction information in a
secondary content reproduction control file. In addition, if the "opening
to specific persons" is selected and determined in step S801, a result of
setting of the "opening to specific persons" as the initial opening range
is held and an operation screen for selecting an opening range change
type is displayed in step S802.

[0175]If the "range expansion" is selected and determined by an operation
on the operation screen for selection of the opening range change type
choice in step S802, a result of setting of the "range expansion" as the
opening range change type is held and an operation screen for inputting
of an opening threshold value access number is displayed in step S803. At
this time, a standard value considered that there is a high possibility
that a user will generally set is set as an initial value of an opening
threshold value access number. Accordingly, for example, a user who
thinks that this initial value is sufficient may perform only a
determination operation without performing a number input operation. As a
result, the user can save time and effort for the operation. In addition,
this initial value setting is the same for the maximum permitted access
number and the number of times of user-unit access permission in steps
S804 and S805 which will be described later. In addition, in the case
when a determination operation is performed in a state in which the
predetermined opening threshold value access number "a" is set in step
S803, the opening instruction information contents F2 are created to be
stored as opening instruction information in the secondary content
reproduction control file.

[0176]In addition, in the case when the "access restriction" is selected
and determined in step S802, a result of setting of the "access
restriction" as the opening range change type is held and an operation
screen for inputting of the maximum permitted access number is displayed
in step S804. Then, in the case when a determination operation has been
performed in a state in which the predetermined maximum permitted access
number "b" is set, the process proceeds to step S805. In step S805,
first, an operation screen for setting of the number of times of
user-unit access permission is displayed. Here, in the case where a user
does not set an effective value for the number of times of user-unit
access permission, for example, an operation for making the number of
times of user-unit access permission not effective is performed. In
addition, in the case of desiring to set the effective number of times of
user-unit access permission, an input operation therefore is performed.

[0177]In addition, in the case when nullification setting for the number
of times of user-unit access permission or a determination operation in a
state where inputting of an effective value has been performed is
performed, the opening instruction information contents F3 are created to
be stored as opening instruction information in the secondary content
reproduction control file.

[0178]In addition, in the case when the holding of "opening to specific
persons" is selected and determined in step S802, the instruction
information contents F3 are immediately created to be stored as the
opening instruction information in the secondary content reproduction
control file.

[0179]Then, in the procedure 3 shown in FIG. 2, a secondary content
reproduction control file in which the opening instruction information
generated as described above is stored is uploaded as secondary contents
to the secondary content server 2. Thus, the secondary contents uploaded
as described above are stored and managed in the secondary content server
2 in the procedure 4 shown in FIG. 2. As the storage and management,
registration into the secondary content database 22a is first performed.
Moreover, in the present embodiment, the opening mode (opening range) of
the secondary contents registered in the secondary content database 22a
is managed in such a manner described above. For this reason, the
secondary content database 22a is managed in a condition where access
history information shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B corresponds to every
secondary content.

[0180]First, as shown in FIG. 23A, the access history information is
configured to include three information items of a corresponding content
ID, a total access count, and user access history. As the corresponding
content ID, an ID of secondary contents to which current access history
information corresponds is shown. In this way, a correspondence between
the access history information and the secondary contents is obtained.
However, depending on the structure of the secondary content database
22a, for example, an arrangement of information items may be configured
such that the correspondence between the access history information and
the secondary contents can be uniquely recognized. In the case where such
a structure is adopted, the corresponding content ID may be omitted. The
total access count is information indicating the number of times of
access performed for the corresponding secondary contents. An opening
threshold value access number within opening instruction information used
in the case where the opening range change type described above is set to
the "range expansion" and the maximum permitted access number used in the
case where the opening range change type is set to the "access
restriction" are compared with the total access count, which will be
described later. In addition, even as a concept of the total access
count, a concept in which second and subsequent access is not added or a
concept in which second and subsequent access is counted may be adopted
in connection with access from the same user. In the same manner as the
opening threshold value access number described above, one-time "access"
counted as the total access count may be considered to indicate an
operation until access as a download request from the user terminal
apparatus 4 is performed and data of secondary contents is properly
transmitted to a requesting source in response to the request. The user
access history is information for managing history of access, which is
performed for corresponding secondary contents, for every user. For
example, as shown in FIG. 23B, the user access history is configured to
include an information unit having a user ID and a user unit access count
as a pair. A user ID for identifying a user is stored in an information
item of a user ID. In the user unit access count, a value indicating the
number of times that a user having a corresponding user ID has accessed
corresponding secondary contents up to now is stored. In the user access
history, an information unit configured to include information items of
the user ID and the user unit access count is formed so as to be arrayed
for every user who has accessed the corresponding secondary contents up
to now. The user unit access count in the user access history is used for
comparison with the number of times of user-unit access permission, which
will be described later.

[0181]Next, an example of procedures for setting of an opening range
(opening mode) of secondary contents in the secondary content server 2
will be described with reference to a flow chart shown in FIG. 24. In
addition, the procedures shown in this drawing are processing in the case
where the initial opening range is set to the "opening to specific
persons". Furthermore, in the procedures shown in this drawing, the open
range managing portion 25b in the database managing unit 25 is mainly
executed. In addition, a function as the open range managing portion 25b
may also be realized when a CPU, which is hardware which forms the
secondary content server 2, performs execution according to a program
stored in the secondary content database 22a, for example.

[0182]In this case, first, the secondary content server 2 waits until an
access request, which designates one predetermined secondary content
transmitted from a user terminal apparatus through a network, is received
in step S901. Then, when it is checked that the access request has been
received, the process proceeds to procedures of step S902 and subsequent
steps.

[0183]In step S902, it is determined whether or not an opening range
change type set for secondary contents (targeted secondary contents), for
which the current access request has been performed, is the "access
restriction". In order to do so, first, contents of an information item
of an opening range change type within opening instruction information of
the secondary contents (targeted secondary contents) indicated by the
content ID are read from the secondary content database 22a referring to
the content ID of the targeted secondary contents so as to be recognized.
Then, in step S902, a positive determination result is obtained if the
read contents indicate the "access restriction" and a negative
determination result is obtained if the read contents indicate the "range
expansion" or the "opening to specific persons" or if an invalid value is
stored.

[0184]In the case when the negative determination result is obtained in
step S902, the process proceeds to step S903. In step S903, in the case
when the negative determination result is obtained in step S902, an
opening range change type corresponds to either the "range expansion" or
the "holding of opening to specific persons". In connection with the
opening range change type, there is no condition of particularly
restricting the access. Then, in step S903, control processing (access
response processing) for transmitting data of the targeted secondary
contents to the user terminal apparatus 4 of a requesting source in
response to the current access request. In response to the execution of
access response processing as described above, in step S904, access to
access history information on the targeted secondary contents in the
secondary content database 22a is performed and a value a of total access
count stored in the access history information is incremented.

[0185]Then, in step S905, it is determined whether or not an opening range
change type set for the targeted secondary contents is the "range
expansion". First, in the case when the positive determination result
that the opening range change type is the "range expansion" is obtained
in step S905, the process proceeds to step S906. In step S906, the total
access count α after being incremented in step S905 is compared
with the opening threshold value access number "a" stored in the
secondary content database 22a corresponding to the targeted secondary
contents and then it is determined whether or not α≧a is
satisfied.

[0186]In the case when the positive determination result is obtained in
step S906, the general access number (total access count α) from
the user terminal apparatus 4 up to now has reached the opening threshold
value access number "a" set beforehand in connection with the targeted
secondary contents. That is, this means that a condition for a change
from a state of opening to specific persons to opening to the public is
satisfied. Therefore, in this case, the targeted secondary contents are
registered in the database 22b for sites opened to the public in step
S907. Thus, when the targeted secondary contents are registered in the
database 22b for sites opened to the public, the targeted secondary
contents are opened to the public in a site opened to the public by
processing of the managing unit 28 for sites opened to the public. On the
other hand, in the case when a negative determination result is obtained
in step S906, a condition for the change from the state of opening to
specific persons to the opening to the public is not satisfied yet.
Therefore, in this case, escape from the flow of procedures shown in the
drawing is made.

[0187]In addition, in the case when a negative determination result, which
indicates that the opening range change type is not the "range
expansion", is obtained in step S905, the opening range change type is
uniquely the "holding of opening to specific persons". Even in this case,
escape from the flow of procedures shown in the drawing is made.

[0188]Furthermore, in the case when the positive determination result,
which indicates that the opening range change type is the "access
restriction", is obtained in step S902, the process proceeds to step
S908. Moreover, in the subsequent description, it is assumed that setting
of the number of times of user-unit access permission is not optional but
the number of times of user-unit access permission is set as an essential
item. In addition, in the case where a user who has once accessed
secondary contents, in which the "access restriction" is set as an
opening range change type, accesses the same secondary contents again, it
is determined whether or not a user of a requesting source who has
performed the current access request is registered in user access history
(refer to FIGS. 23A and 23B) within access history information in step
S908. In order to perform the determination, it is preferable to perform
searching for whether or not there is a user ID, which is transmitted
together with an access request, matching the user ID registered in the
user access history. Then, first, in the case when a negative
determination result is obtained in step S908, the process proceeds to
step S909. This means that the user, who has performed the current access
request, has accessed the targeted secondary contents for the first time
in the case when the negative determination result is obtained in step
S908.

[0189]In step S909, the total access count α in the access history
information on the targeted secondary contents is compared with the
maximum permitted access number "a" set for the same targeted secondary
contents and it is determined whether or not α<b is satisfied.
Here, if a negative determination result is obtained, the past access
number (total access count) with respect to the targeted secondary
contents has not reached the maximum permitted access number yet, and
accordingly, access is not still permitted. Therefore, in this case, the
process proceeds to step S910 such that the same access response
processing as in step S904 is executed.

[0190]When the access response processing is completed in step S910, the
user who has performed the current access request is newly registered in
the user access history in step S911 and then the total access count
α is incremented in step S917, such that escape from the processing
shown in the drawing is made.

[0191]In addition, in the case when the positive determination result is
obtained in step S909, the past access number (total access count) with
respect to the targeted secondary contents has reached the maximum
permitted access number. Accordingly, access to the targeted secondary
contents is not permitted. Then, in this case, processing as access
rejection is executed in step S912, such that escape from the processing
shown in the drawing is made. As the processing for access rejection,
notification that transmission of secondary content data is rejected is
performed as a response of the current access request. Therefore, in this
case, the targeted secondary content data is not transmitted to the
requesting source.

[0192]In addition, in the case when a positive determination result, which
indicates that the user who has performed the access request is already
registered in the user access history, is obtained in step S908, the
process proceeds to step S913. In step S913, in the user access history
of the targeted secondary contents, a user unit access count β
corresponding to the user ID of the user (object user), who has performed
the current access request, and the number "c" of times of user-unit
access permission set in the targeted secondary contents are compared
with each other and it is determined whether or not the relationship of
β>c is satisfied.

[0193]In the case when a negative determination result is obtained in step
S913, the number of times (user-unit access count) in which the object
user has accessed the targeted secondary contents in the past has not
reached the number of times of user-unit access permission yet.
Accordingly, access of the object user to the targeted secondary contents
is still permitted. Therefore, in this case, the process proceeds to step
S914 such that the same access response processing as in step S910 is
executed. Then, the user unit access count β of the object user is
incremented in step S915 and then the total access count α is also
incremented in step S917 such that the access history information is
updated, and thus escape from the processing shown in the drawing is
performed.

[0194]In addition, in the case when the positive determination result is
obtained in step S913, the number of times in which the object user has
accessed the targeted secondary contents in the past reaches the number
of times of user-unit access permission. Accordingly, access of the
object user to the targeted secondary contents is not permitted.
Therefore, in this case, processing as access rejection is executed in
step S916, such that escape from the processing shown in the drawing is
made.

[0195]As can be understood from description up to now, in the present
embodiment, first, a user can set an opening mode (opening range) of the
secondary content server 2 when creating the secondary contents using the
user terminal apparatus 4.

[0196]For example, in the case of video contribution sites up to now, it
is common that videos are uniformly opened to the public when the
contents are uploaded. However, depending on a user, it is expected that
there will be not a few cases where contents created by the user are not
first opened to the public but only limited users, such as friends or
acquaintances, can access (download) the contents so as to appreciate the
contents and then a larger number of users can access the so as to
appreciate the contents, for example, if evaluation or popularity from
the limited users is satisfactory. In addition, a situation where a
limited number of users access the secondary contents in a state of
opening to specific persons can be obtained when a user who is an creator
of the secondary contents performs notification through a CGM, an E-mail,
and the like, as shown in the procedures 6, 7, and 8 of FIG. 2. In order
to meet such a demand, in the music editing and sharing system according
to the present embodiment, opening to specific persons is set in setting
an opening mode without initially performing opening through the site
opened to the public 2a, and then a change to opening to the public is
made if the access number in the state of the opening to specific persons
reaches a predetermined value. That is, the "opening to specific persons"
is set as an initial opening range, and the "range expansion" is set as
an opening range change type. Thus, the opening range expansion described
above can be realized. That is, although those who have an interest among
users who have received the notice access and appreciate the contents at
first, the evaluation is transmitted to the user, who is the creator,
through the CGM or an E-mail if the contents are satisfactory. Then, the
user desires to notify more people by slightly extending a range of human
relation. Then, the number of users, who actually try to download the
contents, among those who received the notice increases since the
contents are satisfactory. Such conduct leads to an increase in the
access number. In addition, since users who received the notice think the
content satisfactory after downloading and viewing the contents, it is
expected that word-of-mouth transmission, which means notifying other
users, will also occur. This also leads to the increase in the access
number. It is expected that using the access number for trigger of a
change to the opening to the public is very effective since the quality
of secondary contents is reflected.

[0197]Furthermore, such an opening range change is executed by performing
an operation (creation of opening instruction information) of setting an
opening mode (opening range) in a phase of creating the secondary
contents and is then executed as automatic processing in the secondary
content server 2. Accordingly, for example, since it is not necessary for
the user to set the opening range after upload, a load of the user is
very small. Moreover, here, the access number is used as the trigger of a
change from opening to specific persons to opening to the public, and the
user can arbitrarily set the access number (that is, an opening threshold
value access number). That is, it can also be set according to the
intention of a user when a change to opening to the public based on a
level of high popularity obtained is to be made.

[0198]In addition, while there are users who want to expand an opening
range as described above, for example, there should be some users who
want opening to the public with confidence from the beginning. To the
contrary, there should be some users who want users, such as
predetermined limited friends and acquaintances, to view their contents
from the beginning. In addition, there should be users who want to stop
opening of the content if a predetermined number of persons have viewed
the contents. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the "opening to
the public" can be set as an initial opening range so as to meet demands
of the former users. In addition, "holding of no opening" or "access
restriction" is set in a condition that the "opening to specific persons"
is set as an initial opening range. In this way, a demand of a user, who
does not want to aggressively open secondary contents that the user has
created, can also be satisfied. In connection with the "access
restriction", a user can arbitrarily set a level of a condition for
stopping the opening of secondary contents, which has been created the
user, by specifying the maximum permitted access number and the number of
times of user-unit access permission. Thus, in the music editing and
sharing system according to the present embodiment, the intentions of
various kinds of users can also be reflected in connection with an
opening mode of contents (secondary contents) that are created by the
user. As a result, it can be said that a degree of freedom higher than
before is given.

[0199]Furthermore, the above-described setting of an opening mode (opening
range) of secondary contents is performed when the user performs an input
operation in creating secondary contents using the user terminal
apparatus 4 (music editing and sharing system 100). That is, an intention
of a creator (copyright holder) is reflected by setting of an opening
range of the secondary contents. However, as can be understood from
description up to now, previous-generation primary contents or secondary
contents that already exist are used as editing materials in creating
secondary contents. Accordingly, an opening range according to the
intention of a copyright is also set in each of the contents of the
editing materials. Taking this point into consideration, in the case
where an opening range is set completely arbitrarily according to the
intention of a user of a creator in newly creating secondary contents,
there is a possibility that a result of exceeding the opening range set
in contents used as an editing material will come out. If new secondary
contents are opened to the public in the secondary content server 2 in a
condition that such opening range setting is performed, at least apart of
an editing material in the new secondary contents is opened to the public
while an opening intention of a creator (copyright holder) of contents
used as an editing material of contents of an editing material used for
creation of the secondary contents is neglected. Such opening of
secondary contents means that the intentions of creators of primary
contents and secondary contents are not respected, for example, which is
not preferable.

[0200]Therefore, in the present embodiment, a predetermined limitation is
applied in setting an opening range of secondary contents. Hereinafter,
this point will be described. In addition, management of a generation of
contents (primary contents and secondary contents) in the music editing
and sharing system according to the present embodiment is related to the
limitation of the opening range of secondary contents in the present
embodiment. Accordingly, first, the generation management using the music
editing and sharing system according to the present embodiment will be
described.

[0201]FIG. 25 is a view schematically illustrating a basic idea about a
generation of contents in the music editing and sharing system according
to the present embodiment. In FIG. 25, contents A are first shown as
primary contents. In the present embodiment, primary contents are not
secondarily created by using editing material contents in the music
editing and sharing system according to the present embodiment. That is,
primary contents based on contents serving as an origin are defined as
first-generation contents. Therefore, the contents A, which are the
primary contents, are first-generation contents.

[0202]Here, it is assumed that contents B, which are new secondary
contents, are created by using the contents A as a direct editing
material and performing predetermined editing. Here, the relationship
between the new secondary contents and the editing material contents,
which are secondarily used directly in order to create the new secondary
contents, is assumed to the relationship between a child and a parent.
Then, since secondary contents as the contents B are obtained by
secondarily using the primary contents belonging to the first generation,
the generation is a second generation next to the first generation.
Subsequently, in the same manner, contents C, which are secondary
contents created by secondarily using the contents B as a direct editing
material, belong to a next third generation on the basis of having
secondarily used the second-generation contents. Moreover, contents D,
which are secondary contents created by secondarily using the contents C
as a direct editing material, belong to a next fourth generation on the
basis of having secondarily used the third-generation contents.
Similarly, whenever next-generation secondary contents are created by
secondary use, a variable N when expressed as an N generation is
increased by "1".

[0203]In actuality, secondary contents are created by secondarily using
two or more editing material contents in many cases. An example of a rule
for generation setting related to new secondary contents in this case is
shown in FIG. 26. In addition, in this drawing, three information
contents regarding secondary contents corresponding to second and
subsequent generations are shown. That is, a content name is shown at the
top, details of used editing material contents based on used editing
material content information is shown in the middle, and details of used
editing material contents based on used primary content information is
shown in the bottom.

[0204]In this drawing, three contents of contents A, B, and C are shown as
first generation contents (that is, primary contents). Then, contents
α1 are shown as secondary contents created by secondarily using the
contents B and C. Although the contents α1 use the contents B and C
as editing material contents (parent contents), both the contents B and C
are primary contents and belong to the first generation. Accordingly, the
contents α1 belong to a second generation which is a generation
next to the first generation. Therefore, contents indicating the second
generation are stored in content generation information in a secondary
content reproduction control file as the contents α1. In addition,
when secondary contents as the contents α1 are created, the music
editing and sharing application 100 generates contents of used editing
material content information so as to indicate that the editing material
contents are the contents B and C and generates contents of used primary
content information so as to indicate that primary contents (used primary
contents) as original editing materials are the contents B and C. In
addition, contents α2 are secondary contents created by secondarily
using only the contents C as an editing material. Since the contents C
belong to the first generation (primary contents), the contents α2
is set as the second generation. Similarly, contents α3 are also
secondary contents created by using only the contents C as an editing
material. Accordingly, the contents α3 are set as the second
generation. In both cases of the contents α2 and α3, contents
of used editing material content information are generated so as to
indicate that the editing material contents are only the contents C and
contents of used primary content information are generated so as to
indicate that used primary contents are also only the contents C.

[0205]Next, contents β1 are secondary contents created by secondarily
using the contents A and the contents α1 as editing materials.
Here, the contents A belong to the first generation, while the contents
α1 belong to the second generation. When both contents are
compared, a generation of the contents α1 is a late generation.
Therefore, the contents β1 are set as a third generation, which is a
generation subsequent to the generation of the contents α1. That
is, in the present embodiment, in the case of secondary contents created
by using a plurality of editing material contents having different
generations, a next generation of a latest generation among editing
material contents is set as a generation of secondary contents that are
newly created. In addition, as for used editing material content
information of the contents β1, the contents are generated so as to
indicate that editing material contents are the contents A and α1.
Since used primary contents of the contents α1 are the contents B
and C, it is recognized that the contents β1 use the contents A, B,
and C as primary contents that are original editing materials. Therefore,
contents of used primary content information are generated so as to
indicate that the used primary contents are three of the contents A, B,
and C.

[0206]In addition, since contents β2 are secondary contents created
by secondarily using only the contents α1, which belong to the
second generation, as editing material contents, the contents β2 are
set as a third generation. Since contents β3 are also secondary
contents created by secondarily using only the contents α2, which
belong to the second generation, as editing material contents, the
contents β3 are set as a third generation. Contents of used editing
material content information of the contents β2 are generated so as
to indicate that the editing material contents are only the contents
α1, and contents of used primary content information are generated
so as to indicate that the used primary contents are the contents B and C
while reflecting contents of the contents α1. Contents of used
editing material content information of the contents β3 are
generated so as to indicate that the editing material contents are only
the contents α2, and contents of used primary content information
are generated so as to indicate that the used primary contents are only
the contents C while reflecting contents of the contents α2.

[0207]Since contents γ1 are secondary contents created by
secondarily using only the contents β1, which belong to the third
generation, as editing material contents, the contents γ1 are set
as a fourth generation. Accordingly, contents of used editing material
content information of the contents γ1 are generated so as to
indicate that the editing material contents are only the contents
β1, and contents of used primary content information are generated
so as to indicate that the used primary contents are the contents A, B,
and C while reflecting contents of the contents β1. In addition,
since contents γ2 are secondary contents created by secondarily
using only the contents β2, which belong to the third generation, as
editing material contents, the contents γ2 are set as a fourth
generation. Contents of used editing material content information of the
contents γ2 are generated so as to indicate that the editing
material contents are only the contents β2, and contents of used
primary content information are generated so as to indicate that the used
primary contents are the contents B and C while reflecting contents of
the contents β2. In addition, since contents γ3 are secondary
contents created by secondarily using the contents β3, which belong
to the third generation, and the contents α3, which belong to the
second generation, as editing material contents. Accordingly, the
contents γ3 in this case are set as a fourth generation subsequent
to the third generation, which is the latest generation of the editing
material contents, on the basis of a rule of previous generation
definition. Contents of the used editing material content information of
the contents γ3 are generated so as to indicate that the editing
material contents are contents β3 and α3. Contents of used
primary content information are generated so as to indicate that the used
primary contents are only the contents C. In both cases of the contents
β3 and α3, for example, editing results thereof are different
but only the contents C are used as an original editing material.

[0208]Here, the contents γ1 which are set as the fourth generation
are focused in FIG. 26. For example, in a secondary content reproduction
control file, information on parent contents (editing material contents)
that are secondarily used directly in order to create the secondary
content reproduction control file are described in editing material
content information. However, in the case of the contents γ1, the
editing material content information shows that editing material contents
are only the contents β1. Then, referring to the editing material
contents for the contents β1, it can be seen that editing material
contents used to create the contents β1 are the contents A and the
contents α1. Here, the contents A of the contents A and the
contents α1, which are editing material contents of the contents
β1, are primary contents and belong to the first generation.
Therefore, referring to the used editing material content information of
the contents α1 which are secondary contents, it can be seen that
the contents α1 secondarily use the contents B and C as editing
material contents. Both the contents B and C are primary contents and
belong to the first generation. In the flow up to now, a family tree of
generations of used contents until the contents γ1 are obtained is
searched while tracing back to the first generation with the contents
γ1 as a starting point. As a result, a family tree in a generation
range A that is collectively indicated by a dashed-dotted line in FIG. 26
is recognized. That is, referring to FIG. 26, if editing material
contents and secondary contents obtained by secondarily using the editing
material contents are assumed to be a parent and a child, the
relationship between a parent and a child belonging to previous
generations with the contents γ1 as a starting point is clearly
recognized. Thus, in the present embodiment, information (used editing
material content information) indicating which kind of contents the
editing material contents are is added to every secondary contents.
Accordingly, a family tree until reaching one predetermined secondary
content can be recognized (generation recognition) by tracing back to a
previous generation on the basis of the information.

[0209]Furthermore, in a condition where such management of a generation is
performed, setting of an opening range of secondary contents is
restricted as follows. For example, as shown in FIG. 27, first, the
contents A exist as primary contents belonging to the first generation,
and an open content range set in the contents A is assumed to be an open
content range A. The set open content range A indicates a range of a
predetermined opening mode determined on the basis of contents of opening
instruction information acquired according to setting procedures
described earlier in FIG. 22.

[0210]Next, for example, it is assumed that the contents B, which are
secondary contents belonging to the second generation, are created by
secondarily using only the contents A as direct editing material
contents. In addition, as an open content range B set in the secondary
contents B, the open content range B is set so as not to exceed the open
content range A of the contents A, that is, so as to satisfy a condition
of B≦A if the relationship is expressed in the expression.

[0211]A specific example of size relationship setting of every designation
item (information item of opening instruction information) in such an
open content range and an example of setting the open content ranges A
and B corresponding to the example of size relationship setting will be
described. Referring to FIG. 22, in connection with branching on a top
hierarchy in opening range setting, there are the "opening to the public"
and the "opening to specific persons" as initial opening ranges. In the
present embodiment, being opened to more users is regarded as expansion
of an open content range. For this reason, an initial opening range is
defined such that the size relationship of "opening to the
public">"opening to specific persons" is satisfied. Accordingly, for
example, if the "opening to the public" is set as an initial opening
range in connection with the actual open content range A of the contents
A, any one of the same "opening to the public" and the "opening to
specific persons" of which a range is narrower (smaller) than that of the
"opening to the public" can be set as the open content range B of the
contents B. To the contrary, if the open content range A is the "opening
to specific persons", the "opening to the public" of which a range is
larger than that of the "opening to specific persons" cannot be set as
the open content range B of the contents B but only the same "opening to
specific persons" can be set as the open content range B of the contents
B.

[0212]In addition, in the case where the "opening to specific persons" is
set as an initial opening range, in the next hierarchy, branching into
the "range expansion", the "access restriction", and the "holding of
opening to specific persons" is made as an opening range change type in a
next hierarchy. Such size relationship is defined as "range
expansion">"holding of opening to specific persons">"access
restriction". Here, it is regarded that an open content range in the
"holding of opening to specific persons" is larger than that in the
"access restriction". However, while a period of time for which direct
access is permitted permanently is limited irrespective of an access
number in the case of the "holding of opening to specific persons",
subsequent access is not permitted if the access number reaches a
predetermined number in the case of the "access restriction". In the case
when the "range expansion" is set as an opening range change type in the
open content range A of the contents A, any one of the "range expansion",
the "access restriction", and the "holding of opening to specific
persons" may be set in the open content range B of the contents B.
Furthermore, in the case when the "access restriction" is set in the open
content range A, setting of the "range expansion" as the open content
range B is not permitted but setting of any one of the "access
restriction" and the "holding of opening to specific persons" is
permitted. Furthermore, in the case when the "holding of opening to
specific persons" is set in the open content range A, setting of the
"range expansion" and the "access restriction" as the open content range
B is not permitted but setting of only the "holding of opening to
specific persons" is permitted.

[0213]In addition, in the case when the "range expansion" is set as an
opening range change type, the opening threshold value access number "a"
is set. A condition for shifting from opening to specific persons to
opening to the public becomes strict as the opening threshold value
access number "a" increases. Therefore, it is defined that an open
content range increases as the opening threshold value access number "a"
decreases. Accordingly, assuming that an opening threshold value access
number a1 is set as the open content range A of the contents A, in the
case of setting an opening threshold value access number a2 as the open
content range B of the contents B, number setting in a range of
a1≦a2 is restricted.

[0214]In addition, in the case when "access" is set as the opening range
change type, the maximum permitted access number "b" is first set. For
the maximum permitted access number "b", it can be recognized that as the
maximum permitted access number "b" increases, a degree of restriction
decreases, that is, an opening range becomes wide. Accordingly, assuming
that a maximum permitted access number "b1" is set as the open content
range A of the contents A, in the case of setting a maximum permitted
access number "b2" as the open content range B of the contents B, number
setting in a range of b1≧b2 is restricted. In addition, even for
the number of times "c" of user-unit access permission in a condition
that "access" is set as an opening range change type, a degree of
restriction decreases, that is, an opening range becomes wide as the
number of times "c" of user-unit access permission increases.
Accordingly, assuming that the number of times "c1" of user-unit access
permission is set as the open content range A of the contents A, in the
case of setting the number of times "c2" of user-unit access permission
as the open content range B of the contents B, number setting in a range
of c1≧c2 is restricted. For example, an open content range of
secondary contents (that is, contents of opening instruction information)
is arbitrarily set in a restriction condition that an open content range
set in parent contents is not exceeded as described above.

[0215]In addition, FIG. 27 illustrates a case where the contents C, which
are secondary contents belonging to the third generation, are created by
secondarily using the contents B. An open content range C of the
secondary contents C is arbitrarily set in a range not exceeding the open
content range B of the contents B as expressed by C≦B.

[0216]Moreover, in FIG. 27, a case where contents D are created by
secondarily using two kinds of contents including the third-generation
contents C as parent contents and the second-generation contents α
is shown. In this case, an open content range (Cα) which is AND
operation between the open content range C of the contents C and the open
content range α of the contents α is first calculated. The
open content range (Cα) is an open content range set so as not to
exceed both the ranges of the open content range C and the open content
range α. In addition, the open content range D is arbitrarily set
in a range not exceeding the open content range (Cα) as expressed
by D≦(Cα).

[0217]The restriction in setting an opening range (open content range) of
secondary contents is performed by the music editing and sharing
application 100. That is, for example, when the music editing and sharing
application 100 (secondary content generation processing portion 117)
executes processing for setting of an opening range of secondary contents
based on FIG. 22, opening instruction information added to editing
material contents (parent contents) that are secondarily used directly is
read so that an opening range permitted for the secondary contents
created this time is recognized. Then, corresponding to the recognition
result, for example, a GUI used for an input operation on each
instruction item corresponding to each processing of step S801 to S805 of
FIG. 22 is formed such that number input or selection of an item
exceeding an opening range permitted is not performed. More specifically,
for example, in the case of a GUI on which one selection item is selected
from a plurality of selection items, such as an initial opening range or
an opening range change type, only an item whose selection is permitted
is displayed active so that the item can be selected and items whose
selection is not permitted is displayed inactive so that the items cannot
be selected. In addition, in the case of a GUI on which numbers, such as
the opening threshold value access number "a", the maximum permitted
access number "b", and the number of times "c" of user-unit access
permission, the GUI is formed such that numbers other than a permitted
range cannot be input. For example, if a number other than the permitted
range is input, a warning dialog or the like is displayed and a suitable
number within a permitted range is urged to be input again.

[0218]Furthermore, selection of an opening range and an opening mode of
secondary contents and definition of opening instruction information
corresponding to the above selection in the music editing and sharing
system are not limited to those described until now, but other methods
may also be considered. In addition, the size relationship setting of
definition contents in every item of opening instruction information used
in the above description with reference to FIG. 27 is only an example as
already described earlier, and the other methods may also be considered.
For example, as opening instruction information, optional instruction
contents indicating that a range may be expanded in a late generation may
be included in contents of a predetermined information item. In addition,
corresponding to a change of an information item that actually forms
opening instruction information, the size relation setting for the
definition contents needs to be appropriately changed.

[0219]In addition, a structure of secondary content data (secondary
content reproduction control file) or data of a primary content file may
be appropriately changed.

[0220]In addition, although digital audio data is set as a main body of
primary contents, for example, data having the same data format as
secondary contents in a phase of primary contents may also be used. That
is, as primary contents, a producer first creates sound sources as some
digital audio data, performs editing processing by treating each of the
sound sources as editing material contents, and creates a reproduction
control file equivalent to a secondary content reproduction control file
as the editing result. Then, a file obtained by making the reproduction
control file and the digital audio data as the sound sources in a package
becomes the primary contents. In this case, data for reproducing
substantial contents as the primary contents becomes data of the
reproduction control file.

[0221]In addition, in description up to now, a specific example of a GUI
screen as the music editing and sharing application 100 is not shown, but
the GUI configuration of the music editing and sharing application 100
may be considered in various ways.

[0222]In addition, the configurations of the primary content server 1, the
secondary content server 2, the communication server 3, and the user
terminal apparatus 4 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 are only examples and may be
appropriately changed in actuality. In addition, at least one of the
three servers may be distributed in a plurality of servers. To the
contrary, at least two of three servers may be unified. In addition, the
functional configuration of the music editing and sharing application 100
is not limited to those described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 and
the like, but may be considered in various ways. In addition, the
structure of a secondary content reproduction control file shown in FIGS.
12, 13, and 14 is only an example and is conceptual. Accordingly, the
structure may be appropriately changed or extended on the basis of those
described above. In addition, the processing procedures shown as the flow
charts in FIGS. 16 to 19, 23, and 24 and the like, that is, the program
configuration is only an example and may be appropriately changed in
actuality.

[0223]Furthermore, in description up to now, contents reproduced by using
primary content data and secondary content data are audio contents, such
as a song. However, the contents reproduced by using primary content data
and secondary content data may also be video contents including image and
sound as a video. In this case, data (body information) used in
reproducing substantial contents as primary contents is video signal data
(and audio signal data reproduced in synchronization with the video
signal). In addition, application to contents of a still image, such as a
photograph or an image, may also be made.

[0224]It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various
modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur
depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are
within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.